House of Commons Debates

VOLUME 147 ● NUMBER 125 ● 2nd SESSION ● 41st PARLIAMENT

OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD)

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Speaker: The Honourable Andrew Scheer CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) 8399

HOUSE OF COMMONS

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

The House met at 2 p.m. there was an awards ceremony for the 125th Ordre national du mérite agricole competition, which recognizes the excellence and dedication of farmers. Prayers The regional event for the Lower St. Lawrence took place in Rivière-du-Loup. Many agricultural endeavours in Montmagny— ● (1405) L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup were honoured. Here are a [English] few examples: Ferme Jeannicole, in Kamouraska, won the The Speaker: It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing prestigious title of commander of the Ordre national du mérite of the national anthem led by the hon. member for Scarborough— agricole; Ferme Hoelet, in La Pocatière, came in second place Agincourt. nationally; Ferme Jean Labrie, in Kamouraska, came in second place regionally and third place nationally; and Ferme Flamande, in Saint- [Members sang the national anthem] Hubert-de-Rivière-du-Loup, won the La Coop fédérée agri-environ- mental award.

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Mr. Speaker, food security is necessary for members of society to be truly happy. We must recognize the excellence of our agricultural [English] workers and producers just as we must ensure that each and every THE ECONOMY decision we make in the House helps our agricultural businesses thrive. Mrs. Stella Ambler (Mississauga South, CPC): Mr. Speaker, we all know that the leader of the Liberal Party is known for his “oops” moments, but did members know that his Liberal Party critics are *** having them too? The member for Wascana was forced to apologize for misleading [English] the House by misquoting support from a Laval economics professor. Then the Liberal finance critic misquoted Jack Mintz, who said that MARRIAGE the Liberal EI scheme encourages employers to fire an older worker to make room for a new worker. Mr. Maurice Vellacott (Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, CPC): Mr. Speaker, there is a myth out there that the divorce rate is close to While the Liberal Party scrambles to cover up for its leader, we are 50%. delivering action on Canada's economy.

This week we have even more good news. Last year's deficit was Shaunti Feldhahn found some startling and encouraging things in down to roughly $5.2 billion, much better than previously forecast. the research for her new book, The Good News About Marriage. This demonstrates that we are firmly on track to balance the budget.

Yesterday the IMF projected Canada to be one of the strongest The divorce rate for first marriages is actually around 30%. growing economies over the years ahead. The Fraser Institute has Christians have between a 30% and 50% lower divorce rate than the just ranked Canada among the most economically free countries in general population. Although these are American figures, we the world. Canucks can likely shave a few points off of that. *** [Translation] If people were to realize these facts and that most marriages do make it, they would be less skittish about tying the knot. When AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD troubles come, they can say that most people have challenges in a Mr. François Lapointe (Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska marriage, but most people get over them and get through those —Rivière-du-Loup, NDP): Mr. Speaker, on Friday, October 3, problems, and they will too. 8400 COMMONS DEBATES October 8, 2014

Statements by Members As the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada pointed out in a NEW WESTMINSTER—COQUITLAM COMMUNITY recent study, married couples tend to live longer. They tend to be EVENTS wealthier. They tend to have a much easier time getting out of poverty. Their kids do better in school, are less likely to take drugs Mr. Fin Donnelly (New Westminster—Coquitlam, NDP): Mr. and alcohol, and are more likely to delay sexual activity. Of course, Speaker, “Wait for me, Daddy”. These famous words of Warren they are also happier. “Whitey” Bernard were immortalized in a sculpture unveiled this past weekend in the royal city of New Westminster. There is good news out there about marriage, and we need to spread the word. The vast majority of marriages happily thrive. The bronze statue depicts the iconic photograph of Whitey Marriage is a still a wonderful thing. reaching out for his father's hand, who was a soldier marching with the B.C. Regiment down Eighth Street headed off to fight in the *** Second World War. NANCY MACLEAN The photograph captures a tender moment that reminds us of the Hon. Wayne Easter (Malpeque, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay pain of separation and the sacrifices made by those who serve. tribute to Nancy MacLean, who passed away in Vancouver due to unexpected complications following surgery. As the community gathered for the unveiling of this special Nancy was born on P.E.I., grew up in North Wiltshire, and sculpture and commemorative stamp and coin, we also were graduated from UPEI with a BA in English and psychology. She so reminded of the hundreds of Canadian soldiers who will be deployed loved to write. She worked in three fields: as writer and editor for the for combat this month, prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice in entertainment and family pages of the Charlottetown Patriot; in the service to our country. Privy Council Office of Prime Minister Trudeau, leaving for the west coast due to the pull of the sea; and in community work with seniors I would also like to acknowledge Terri Evans of the Coquitlam on the west coast. Farmers Market. This weekend we celebrated her 18 years of service to the society, our community, and the local food movement. Quite young, she was struck down with severely crippling rheumatoid arthritis, forcing her to retire. No stranger to surgery, facing it at least seven times, and certainly no stranger to the pain Volunteers like Terri contribute to building healthy, sustainable and depressing impact of arthritis, she never complained. Instead, communities, and I thank her for her service. she showed her kind heart and humour. Everyone who knew her admired her courage. She showed that courage and bravery through *** her disability. ● (1410) Nancy loved both P.E.I. and B.C., but her heart belonged to P.E.I. We offer our condolences to her brothers, sisters, nieces, and PROSTITUTION nephews. Mr. Pierre Lemieux (Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, CPC): *** Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that Bill C-36, the protection of communities and exploited persons act, passed third reading here in OPERATION NORTHERN SPOTLIGHT the House only two nights ago. Mrs. Joy Smith (Kildonan—St. Paul, CPC): Mr. Speaker, in March I raised the impact of Operation Northern Spotlight, a Our Conservative government has provided the necessary leader- national anti-trafficking initiative carried out by police services ship to ensure that Canada has the laws and safeguards to fight across Canada to identify and rescue victims of sex trafficking from prostitution and the many evils that come with it: the proliferation of prostitution. sexually transmitted diseases, the degradation and exploitation of women and girls, the scourge of human trafficking, and the Today I am pleased to give the House an update that phase two of involvement of organized crime, to name only a few. It would be Operation Northern Spotlight was carried out last week. Members of naive to think that these serious harms would be eliminated if 26 police services, including my hometown Winnipeg police force, prostitution were to suddenly become legal. met with individuals in prostitution. As a result of the coordinated investigations, nine people were charged with 33 offences, including child pornography, assault, human trafficking, and living off the It should also be stated clearly that prostitution harms marriage avails. Police were also able to ensure the safety of 18 people who and the family, both of which are fundamental to a healthy and had been working in the sex trade as minors or against their will. strong nation.

Today I would like to thank the 167 officers and support staff As the father of five children, four of whom are daughters, I am involved in last week's operation, and the local NGOs that partnered glad that the purchase of sex through prostitution will remain illegal, with the police. They worked relentlessly to bring freedom to those thanks to Bill C-36. I personally thank each parliamentarian who trapped in prostitution and sex trafficking. voted in favour of this important legislation. October 8, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 8401

Statements by Members RIDING OF FORT MCMURRAY—ATHABASCA I challenge all Yukoners to do what I have already done and gift a Mr. David Yurdiga (Fort McMurray—Athabasca, CPC): Mr. turkey to the local food bank in Whitehorse so that everybody can Speaker, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the enjoy a great Thanksgiving weekend this year. constituents of Fort McMurray—Athabasca for granting me the To those Yukoners who are taking a break this Thanksgiving privilege to be their voice in the House of Commons. weekend by travelling on Yukon's airline, Air North, to Victoria to run the marathon, I would like to wish them all the best in their run. The Fort McMurray—Athabasca riding is large geographically. I had the distinct privilege of meeting many constituents this past To all Yukoners and all Canadians, from my family to theirs, I summer while travelling throughout the riding. The one character- wish everybody a very happy Thanksgiving. istic that unifies our region is our strong sense of community. We are not only blessed with a diverse economy, but also enriched with a *** healthy and growing multicultural community. As more immigrants ● (1415) become settled, our community has benefited from new cultural exchange and celebrations. [Translation]

Our Conservative government believes in strong, vibrant com- INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD munities. That is why our government has implemented the new Ms. Mylène Freeman (Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, Building Canada plan that focuses on creating jobs, economic NDP): Mr. Speaker, to mark the third International Day of the Girl growth, and long-term prosperity. Child, my New Democratic colleagues and I are joining this call for action. *** Too often, girls and young women are deprived of their right to SERVICE CANADA self-determination. Mr. Mike Sullivan (York South—Weston, NDP): Mr. Speaker, For girls to achieve self-actualization and live with dignity, they the EI program for parents of critically ill children is a very valuable need education, they need food security, they need to live free of one, but only if it is working and paying people during their time of violence, and they need to have their reproductive choices respected, need. Sadly, it did not for Amanda Oram. but in Canada and around the world, we are still fighting for those Cole Oram was born prematurely. He and his mom spent the next rights. six months in the neonatal intensive care unit. She had to go into We must keep working toward the independence of girls and debt because she could not get EI to pay what she was owed. She women. spent exhausting hours trying to get through to Service Canada, waiting on hold, getting misdirected, having to resubmit applica- [English] tions, and having hospital documentation wrongly rejected. We need to enshrine reproductive rights in our laws. Every young Service Canada's unreachability and bungling caused Amanda to woman deserves to choose when, how, and with whom she becomes spend countless hours away from her newborn son. a mother.

A Mount Sinai Hospital study shows that the presence of parents We need to empower all women to seek economic, housing, and of preemies improves weight gain, breastfeeding, and decreases food security. infection. We need to honour indigenous rights and correct the legacy of colonial violence that afflicts the lives of Métis, Inuit, and first Sadly, Cole died. Amanda does not want others to suffer the same nations girls in Canada. nightmare. She will never get back those hours she lost with her son. We need a coordinated national action plan to address violence Service Canada is under-resourced and poorly managed. This against women. government should be ashamed enough to act now to fix this. We must work in solidarity with women and girls in every *** community to bring these rights and freedoms to indigenous girls, to low-income girls, to girls who face violence, to all girls. THANKSGIVING Mr. Ryan Leef (Yukon, CPC): Mr. Speaker, as the holiday *** weekend fast approaches, I would like to highlight that Canadian INTERNATIONAL TRADE food banks are encouraging all Canadians to consider those families who are a little less fortunate than theirs by buying a turkey and Mr. Larry Maguire (Brandon—Souris, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I gifting a turkey. am pleased to inform the House that Canada's Minister of Agriculture is in Chicago today to meet with American and Mexican I would like to give thanks this year that I live in a territory of representatives to highlight the importance of free and open trade. generous people who are full of the volunteerism spirit and are This is a unique opportunity for all three NAFTA countries to always willing to step up and support a great community cause. promote the integrated nature of our agriculture and food industry. 8402 COMMONS DEBATES October 8, 2014

Statements by Members Since NAFTA came into force, North American agricultural trade For all those who are supporting our Canadian teams, the has quadrupled to over $1 billion a week. However, U.S. country of Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, origin labelling continues to be a serious roadblock against Canadian Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, and Edmonton cattle and hog exports. Oilers, here is hoping our teams have a great season.

Our government has challenged COOL at the WTO, and the WTO Go Habs. has made it clear: COOL is a blatant trade discrimination. That is why the minister is sending a clear message to our friends in the U.S. *** that it is time to fall into line with its obligations to the global trading community. IRAQ We continue to stand with our farmers and ranchers, and we are Mr. Glenn Thibeault (Sudbury, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the word prepared to seek authorization from the WTO to impose retaliatory “flip-flop” gets overused sometimes, but in the case of the Liberal tariffs on U.S. imports if COOL is not resolved. Party and Iraq, we have seen so many flip-flops, five of them actually, we have had to coin a new word, the “fifth-flop”. Trade is what drives our economies, and we must continue to work together to grow our agriculture industries and operate our On September 9, the Liberals' foreign affairs critic announced full markets under science-based rules that reduce barriers to trade. support for the special forces mission. Two days later, the Liberal leader said that he would not rule out air strikes. The next week he *** declared that the Liberals would not support combat. However, later ERIK SPICER the same day he said that he might support combat if the Prime Minister answered questions. Hon. Ralph Goodale (Wascana, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an illustrious parliamentarian who passed away By October 6, the critic was saying that the Liberals were open to September 27. a military mission “of a non-combat nature”. Then yesterday he said that the Liberals would support the combat mission after the mission Erik John Spicer was never elected to the House of Commons or passed the House. called to the Senate, but for 34 years he served these two institutions with skill and devotion as the Parliamentary Librarian of Canada. Meanwhile, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration is Erik loved the library, as a building of huge historic importance, as making up stories about weapons of mass destruction, the Minister an institution fundamental to our democracy, as a service of Foreign Affairs is unable to give details about the mission, and the indispensable to Canadians. He served eight prime ministers, 22 Prime Minister cannot even give a straight answer about how many Speakers, thousands of MPs, and millions of citizens. soldiers are on the ground. Erik was a decorated veteran, a patron of the arts, a man active in Are members confused? So are Canadians, and Canadians deserve his local community and devoted to his family. better.

Canada's longest continually serving parliamentary official, Erik *** was uniquely recognized on his retirement as Librarian Emeritus and an honorary officer of both Houses. ● (1420) Our thoughts and prayers are with his loving wife of 61 years, UKRAINE Helen, and the entire Spicer family. Mr. Ted Opitz (Etobicoke Centre, CPC): Mr. Speaker, our *** government is steadfast in its support for Ukraine as it works towards a better and freer future. NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Mr. Mike Wallace (Burlington, CPC): Mr. Speaker, with Today, while in Ukraine, Ambassador Andrew Bennett Thanksgiving just around the corner, Canadians from coast to coast announced additional support to foster the development of a political have much to be thankful for: a strong Canadian economy and a culture in Ukraine that would facilitate pluralism and religious government committed to lowering taxes, increasing trade with our freedom. Specifically, we are partnering with the OSCE to promote global partners, and much more. Last but not least is the fact that the religious freedom and interfaith dialogue and to prevent hate crimes NHL is back. in Ukraine. Moreover, we will be partnering with the Catholic Near East Welfare Association to promote interfaith and intercultural After a long summer of watching our professional baseball team understanding among the different communities in Ukraine. tease Canadian sports fans with hopes of making the playoffs, the Canadian Football League playoffs are just around the corner. Pluralism and religious tolerance are essential principles for a thriving democratic society. Canada will always stand with the As Canadian hockey fans, we are ready to eat, sleep, and breathe people of Ukraine as it strengthens its institutions and reinforces the hockey, as we embark on the emotional roller coaster of following foundations of democracy, human rights, and religious tolerance. our favourite teams through every puck drop, penalty shot, goal scored, overtime, and shootout. Slava Ukraini. October 8, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 8403

Oral Questions ORAL QUESTIONS ● (1425) [Translation] [English] INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT NATIONAL DEFENCE Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP): Mr. Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP): Mr. Speaker, thousands of people have died from Ebola and many more Speaker, last year the Prime Minister claimed that the situation in have been exposed. The threat is increasing exponentially. Syria was so serious that it warranted a regime change at all costs.

Will the Prime Minister hear the plea from U.S. Secretary of State Now the Prime Minister would gladly bomb Bashar al-Assad's John Kerry for countries to urgently increase their contribution? enemies, but only if the dictator asks him to do so. How will the Conservative government step up Canada's efforts to Why is the Prime Minister willing to compromise our soldiers and help those suffering from this Ebola outbreak and to stop its spread? Canada's honour to help such a bloodthirsty dictator? Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC): Mr. Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC): Mr. Speaker, as members know, the Minister of International Develop- Speaker, the government has no intention of engaging in a war ment announced only recently increased assistance in this regard. against Syria, Iraq or any other country in that region. We are Canada has two mobile units now present there. We have been engaging in a military mission against the Islamic State, and we moving materiel to help support the battle against Ebola. We have believe it is important that that terrorist organization not have any made resources, both financial and otherwise, available to the World safe haven in the region. Health Organization and other organizations that are operating on the ground. [English] We will continue to work with the international community on Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP): Mr. fighting what is a pandemic of some considerable concern. Speaker, this weekend, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said that he could not discuss where Canadian aircraft would be based, as it was [Translation] an operational detail. The United States openly tells its citizens Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP): Mr. where its planes are based. It is being reported here in Canada that Speaker, I thank the Prime Minister for his answer, but the most our planes will be based in Kuwait. important thing is that there is an Ebola vaccine developed here in Canada. The Prime Minister has the power and the duty to make this Why can the Prime Minister not give Canadians a straight answer vaccine available to the human beings who need it. to such a clear question? Is the location of our aircraft top secret or can the Prime Minister simply confirm that they will be based in Will the Prime Minister take action, save lives and make sure that Kuwait? this vaccine is delivered to the people who need it? Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC): Mr. Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I can confirm to the House that the CF-18s will be deployed Speaker, there is a vaccine, and the government has made it available from 4 Wing Cold Lake, the Polaris will be deployed from 8 Wing to the World Health Organization. It is up to that organization to Trenton, and the Auroras will be deployed from 14 Wing Green- decide how to use it. The vaccine is available. wood. Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP): Mr. I know that the military is continuing to work on the deployment Speaker, it is available, but it has not been delivered. The real plan, and I am not in a position at this point to confirm where that question is, why has it not been delivered? deployment will be. [English] *** In 2010, the Conservative government gave the intellectual INSTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT property rights for the Ebola vaccine to a private company. That is the only reason this vaccine is being held up. The Prime Minister Mr. Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, many of the knows that as well as we do. refugees from Kobani who entered southern Turkey had already fled their homes in other parts of Syria. In their rush to escape this time, What has the Prime Minister done? What has he done to help many left with only the clothes on their back. They will soon be break this log jam and get this vaccine to the people who desperately facing a cold winter. The humanitarian effort in the region is need it? underfunded. Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I have asked and confirmed that there is no intellectual Does the government intend to offer more than the $10 million in property matter involved in the non-delivery of this vaccine. The new aid recently announced? vaccine is available to the World Health Organization. The World Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC): Mr. Health Organization at this point, for its own reasons, has decided Speaker, the government, as the Minister of International Develop- not to deploy it. However, it is not due to that reason, and it is ment said yesterday, has been one of the leading donors to the available to the WHO. humanitarian crisis in this region, and we will continue to be so. 8404 COMMONS DEBATES October 8, 2014

Oral Questions However, let us be very clear. There can be no solution to the been providing surveillance on the ground. We are going to be refugee crisis if we simply let ISIL go on and create millions more deploying our planes. refugees in this region. That is part of the reason why this mission is so necessary. This is a mission that should have had the support of everybody *** last night. I am very disappointed in that. [Translation] Mr. Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre, NDP): It is answers like that, Mr. Speaker, that have Canadians worried about mission creep. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION Mr. Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, millions of Last night, the Conservatives voted against the NDP's alternative Syrian refugees are now in Turkey, and winter is just around the plan, which would have kept Canada out of the war in Syria. Nearly corner. all of our allies have put into place clear caveats that will not allow Canada could help by meeting its objectives regarding the number them to go into Syria. of refugees we welcome here. Can the government explain why it has opened the door to Will the government provide additional funding to deal with this Canadian combat in Syria? looming crisis, and will it meet and even increase its own targets? Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC): Mr. Hon. Rob Nicholson (Minister of National Defence, CPC): Mr. Speaker, as the Minister of International Development has explained Speaker, we have been very clear about this mission. We have from the beginning, the Government of Canada is one of the leading indicated that it is in Iraq and it is against ISIL. We will be deploying donors to the humanitarian crisis in this region. We will continue to Canadian aircraft from the RCAF, the Polaris, the Auroras and the do our part. CF-18s. I am confident that they will get the job done. They will do the right thing and degrade this terrorist organization. The Islamic State terrorist organization is creating millions of refugees, and we will not be able to stop it without military action. *** [English] Mr. Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, last year INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Canada proposed an initial Syrian refugee intake target of 1,300, but only 200 are reported to have arrived on Canadian soil so far. Ms. Hélène Laverdière (Laurier—Sainte-Marie, NDP): Mr. Speaker, we learned this morning in the Toronto Star that a report When will last year's target be met, and more importantly, when from the OECD says that in 2013 Canada was among the countries will that target be increased? that reduced its foreign aid budget the most. During that same Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC): Once period, the international community globally increased its develop- again, Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration has ment assistance budget. In New York, the Prime Minister acknowl- addressed that particular question on a number of occasions. edged that poverty and underdevelopment can foster conflict. I look at the numbers that the leader of the Liberal Party is throwing around. We have an organization in the region destabilizing Does the minister agree? Why not invest more? an entire region and threatening to turn yet millions more people into Ms. Lois Brown (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of refugees. There is no solution involved in simply a refugee response. International Development, CPC): Mr. Speaker, we want to assist If we want to stop ISIL, we have to do more than a refugee and the most vulnerable people around the world and help to lift them humanitarian response, which we are doing. We also have to take a out of poverty. Our government has a global reputation for paying military response. That is what the international community and what we pledge. Canada has been commended for delivering on its Canada are doing. commitments to transparent and accountable development and for *** doing exactly what we say we are going to do. We will continue to ● (1430) ensure that all Canadians can take pride in our global leadership in development assistance. NATIONAL DEFENCE Mr. Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre, NDP): Mr. Speaker, yesterday [Translation] the Minister of Foreign Affairs said, “We are going to war with ISIL.” Ms. Hélène Laverdière (Laurier—Sainte-Marie, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the OECD report is clear: Canada is giving less and less I have a question for the government. What is its vision of development assistance, while the entire international community is victory? What are its criteria for victory, and does it still believe that giving more and more. In New York, the Prime Minister acknowl- it can win this war in six months? edged that underdevelopment could create a breeding ground for Hon. Rob Nicholson (Minister of National Defence, CPC): Mr. conflict. Speaker, we have been very clear that our mission is to degrade the capability of ISIL to commit the terrorist acts that it has been doing. Does the minister agree that now is not the time for cuts, but for This is part of our greater effort of humanitarian assistance. We have additional investments? October 8, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 8405

Oral Questions [English] responders. Railway companies are required to reduce the speed of Ms. Lois Brown (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of trains. I have a list that continues on. International Development, CPC): Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, Mr. Matthew Kellway (Beaches—East York, NDP): Mr. our commitment is to helping people, globally, be lifted out of Speaker, “avoidable” was how the Lac-Mégantic coroner described poverty and to see a better life in the future. the 47 deaths. Still, the minister has failed to implement Canada met all of its commitments for our global development . recommendations from the Transportation Safety Board to fix lax We want to ensure that those dollars are well spent. We want to know oversight of rail safety in her department. that Canadians are proud of the work we are doing, and we will continue to do that. Yesterday's fiery derailment in Saskatchewan, once again, raised concerns about the risks posed by hazardous rail shipments. Still, in *** the House, the minister says accidents like this happen. [Translation] What more will it take for the minister to simply and finally RAIL TRANSPORTATION implement the TSB's recommendations? Mr. Hoang Mai (Brossard—La Prairie, NDP): Mr. Speaker, this morning, the coroner's office released a report on the Lac- Hon. Lisa Raitt (Minister of Transport, CPC): Mr. Speaker, we Mégantic tragedy. It recommends that no train carrying dangerous have worked diligently on this matter with the municipalities, with goods be left on a main line unsupervised. How is that even still the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, with railway companies, possible, especially after the events at Lac-Mégantic? with teamsters, with everybody involved in ensuring rail safety moves forward. When will the minister change the regulations and implement these recommendations? I can say one thing, though. It is erroneous to assume that this [English] accident was not caused by one person who did not set enough Hon. Lisa Raitt (Minister of Transport, CPC): Mr. Speaker, handbrakes. Indeed, that individual and a number of others have with the release of the report we are reminded that 47 people lost been charged criminally in a court of law, as a result of negligence, their lives in this tragic incident. Of course, our thoughts and prayers which will go through its process. will continue to be with the victims, their families and those who supported them. The reality is that we have worked very closely on the matter. We have implemented many different actions to ensure that rail— That said, we have taken great strides this year to ensure that we have responded to every single recommendation of the Transporta- The Speaker: Order, please. tion Safety Board. We will take into consideration as well what is put out in the Quebec coroner's report, and together we will ensure that The hon. member for Parkdale—High Park. safety in rail is primarily and predominantly at the top of our agenda and will continue to do so. *** ● (1435) [Translation] TRANSPORT Mr. Hoang Mai (Brossard—La Prairie, NDP): Mr. Speaker, Ms. Peggy Nash (Parkdale—High Park, NDP): Mr. Speaker, it unfortunately the news in the past few days reminds us that is government negligence that people are most concerned about. immediate action needs to be taken. Just yesterday, a CN freight train carrying dangerous goods derailed in Saskatchewan. Local residents Conservatives have also been failing Canadians when it comes to had to evacuate to avoid breathing in the fumes. The TSB has vehicle safety. The number of confirmed deaths due to faulty GM already come down hard on the government for its lax attitude and ignition switches has climbed to 24, but there are many more alleged lack of oversight. to be linked to the defect. In spite of this, the Conservatives refuse to What is the minister doing to ensure that the rail companies are bring GM and departmental officials to committee to answer obeying the law? questions. [English] Canadians deserve answers. Can the minister at least tell us, so Hon. Lisa Raitt (Minister of Transport, CPC): Mr. Speaker, far, how much GM has been fined here in Canada? with respect to the premise that we have not done anything, let me just remind the House that we have invested $60 million to support Hon. Lisa Raitt (Minister of Transport, CPC): Mr. Speaker, response and recovery efforts and $95 million for decontamination under the law in Canada there is an obligation on GM to ensure that remediation in Lac-Mégantic. We have removed the least crash- it informs Transport Canada of any defects. It did so in February of resistant DOT-111 tank cars from service. We require these tank cars this year. We have not seen any evidence, after requesting more be phased out within three years, well before the United States made information, of its having any information regarding this defect in the same moves. We require ERAPs for everything. We made sure Canada prior to that time. As such, there have not been any charges that we brought a task force together with municipalities and first issued under the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations. 8406 COMMONS DEBATES October 8, 2014

Oral Questions MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY operator error is being ruled out. Nevertheless, there is clearly an Ms. Peggy Nash (Parkdale—High Park, NDP): Mr. Speaker, ongoing argument between Transport Canada and the railway we have to love that voluntary compliance. companies about the issue of operator fatigue. Some reports suggest that as many as three-quarters of freight operators may actually have October is National Manufacturing Month. We would not know it fallen asleep at the controls. from the minister's press release, but Canada has lost 415,000 good manufacturing jobs under the Conservative government. The Conservatives still have no plan to boost investment and innovation The issue is acknowledged. It has been under investigation since and they have cut support for R and D. 2009. Air crews and truck drivers are regulated against fatigue. Will the government implement the necessary safety regulations for train Manufacturing creates high-wage, high-quality jobs. When will crews before Christmas? the Conservatives start defending the interests of the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who work in the manufacturing sector? Hon. James Moore (Minister of Industry, CPC): Mr. Speaker, it Hon. Lisa Raitt (Minister of Transport, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I is a simple fact that Canada's manufacturing sales have bounced would just caution the hon. member on talking about the causation back and are actually up 25%. before the Transportation Safety Board has weighed in on the cause of the accident. We do wait for it to do its work. As well, our government's initiatives include the automotive innovation fund. There was an announcement just last week, for example, at Ford in Oakville. It is creating 1,000 jobs on top of the With respect to fatigue management plans, Transport Canada does 1,200 jobs that are currently in Oakville. indeed have the requirement that railway companies submit fatigue Add to that the fact that I was in Halifax this weekend at the Irving management plans. As well we do have rules for railway operating shipyard where there is the largest shipbuilding facility in all of employees developed under the Railway Safety Act. We do have North America, creating ships for Canada, for Canadians, for the rules in place. We expect the companies to respect them. We want to future. It is a $33 billion investment in Canada's manufacturing have their plans and we will ensure that we enforce appropriately. sector. We are delivering from coast to coast. *** *** ● (1440) RAIL TRANSPORTATION HEALTH Hon. Ralph Goodale (Wascana, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, people in Saskatchewan are cleaning up the mess from yesterday's train derailment. There were no injuries, thankfully, but it was dangerous. Hon. Hedy Fry (Vancouver Centre, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, while Twenty-six cars crashed. Dangerous goods spilled. There was a fire we all understand that the nature of contagion of Ebola is low outside and pollution, and 50 people were evacuated. The province, of endemic areas, Canadians are understandably anxious about municipalities, and private individuals incurred costs. reported cases outside West Africa, such as in Texas and Spain. I have three questions. Will all those costs be fully and quickly reimbursed? Were local first responders informed of the contents of Can the Minister of Health tell us exactly what is Canada's level of that train before they had to deal with the emergency? Were these the preparedness for containment of possible cases of Ebola, including old DOT-111 cars? access to vaccines and treatment here in Canada? Hon. Lisa Raitt (Minister of Transport, CPC): Mr. Speaker, with respect to the first question from the hon. member, CN is Hon. Rona Ambrose (Minister of Health, CPC): Mr. Speaker, responsible for the cleanup and any costs associated with it, so that is Canada's preparedness is high. The Chief Public Health Officer is a question he should take up with CN. However, we fully expect a almost daily on calls with his provincial counterparts. I have spoken polluter pays principle in this country. In fact, it was this to all of my health counterparts as well on this issue. We have a very government, in the Speech from the Throne, that indicated even good public health system in Canada, whether it be for prevention, more clearly that we fully expect and anticipate that this will be the awareness, or treatment. regime going forward. With respect to first responders, I am informed by officials on the ground that, yes indeed, there was collaboration between first I have had the opportunity to speak with Canada's Chief Public responders and the appropriate officials in order to determine what Health Officer this morning on the matter of managing risks to the was happening at the time. border. Of course, Canadians should know that international border crossings in Canada are monitoring 24-7, and travellers from the With respect to the matter of the cars that were in use, the member affected West African countries are identified, and they are asked should ask CN that question. about their health. Our government will be taking the additional step Hon. Ralph Goodale (Wascana, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, we do not of doing targeted temperature screenings. We will do whatever is yet know the cause of the Saskatchewan train wreck, but apparently necessary to protect Canadians. October 8, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 8407

Oral Questions THE ENVIRONMENT Next Saturday, a public demonstration will be held in Cacouna. Ms. Megan Leslie (Halifax, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Hundreds of people who are concerned about the future of the the Environment's definition yesterday of “leadership” includes not St. Lawrence will participate in it. Would people be protesting if implementing promises, not meeting targets, and not answering environmental assessments were credible and were not rigged in questions. advance in favour of the oil companies? The environment commissioner says that there is no climate As a result of the consistent incompetence of the Minister of change plan. The Conservatives are not going to meet their Fisheries and Oceans, the oil port in Cacouna is a complete fiasco. Copenhagen targets, and their sector-by-sector approach is not working. Will the minister finally listen to Canadians and ask real experts to provide real scientific opinions on this issue? This has been an The Conservatives have had eight years. When are we going to absolute farce for months. see emissions regulations in the oil and gas sector? [English] Hon. Leona Aglukkaq (Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Hon. Gail Shea (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, CPC): Mr. Minister for the Arctic Council, CPC): Mr. Speaker, this is a Speaker, we have said that projects will only move forward if they continental issue, and we need a North American-wide solution. are safe for Canadians and safe for the environment. Our government will continue to work with the United States on TransCanada has not even submitted the construction of a marine reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the oil and gas sector. We feel terminal at Cacouna for review, so how can we turn down something it is best to align with the United States as we have done in the that has not been applied for? transportation sector, as an example. [Translation] We will continue to protect the environment and reduce green- Mr. Guy Caron (Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Bas- house gas emissions in a way that maintains job creation and ques, NDP): Mr. Speaker, as early as May 2014, three independent economic growth. scientists asked that all activity planned in the Cacouna area be ● (1445) cancelled because of the serious risk to the beluga whale population. [Translation] Hundreds of residents, the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park Ms. Megan Leslie (Halifax, NDP): Mr. Speaker, according to the coordinating committee, the Société pour les mammifères marins environment commissioner, the new environmental assessment and many municipalities also shared their serious concerns, but the process is full of holes. minister did not budge. As a result of the Conservatives' legislative tricks, 80% of oil Does the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans think it is right that sands extraction projects now do not have to undergo environmental residents of the Lower St. Lawrence are being forced to go to court assessments. in order for their opinions about the oil port in Cacouna to be heard? Why are the Conservatives more concerned about the interests of [English] oil companies than the interests of Canadians? Hon. Gail Shea (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, CPC): Mr. [English] Speaker, at this stage, the only work that is being conducted at Cacouna is exploratory work, and this work has been carefully Hon. Leona Aglukkaq (Minister of the Environment, Minister reviewed by scientists and authorized by scientists, contingent on the of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and very strictest conditions. DFO has scientists specifically devoted to Minister for the Arctic Council, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I would like marine mammals, including St. Lawrence belugas, and as I said, to read a quote that has come in from the president of the Canadian projects will only move forward if they are safe for Canadians and Renewable Fuels Association, who told our department that he was safe for the environment. very disappointed with the commissioner's report, because it omitted major information. The president said that the renewable fuel *** regulations introduced by this Conservative government have removed the equivalent of a million cars and trucks from our THE ECONOMY roads and that they did so while promoting $3.5 billion in economic growth. Mr. Rodney Weston (Saint John, CPC): Mr. Speaker, our government is focused on what matters most to Canadians: jobs and This quote came from Scott Thurlow, the president of the economic growth. Over 1.1 million net new jobs have been added Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, who is quite disappointed since the recession, one of the strongest job creation records in the with the commissioner for omitting that big detail in her report. G7. On top of that, our low-tax plan is making Canada a more attractive place to invest. In fact, Bloomberg has named Canada the [Translation] second most attractive country in which to do business. Mr. François Lapointe (Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska —Rivière-du-Loup, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the commissioner's Could the Minister of State for Finance please update the House opinion is no small matter. with the latest good news on the economy? 8408 COMMONS DEBATES October 8, 2014

Oral Questions Hon. Kevin Sorenson (Minister of State (Finance), CPC): Mr. NATIONAL DEFENCE Speaker, Canada is on track for a balanced budget. Last year's deficit was roughly $5.2 billion, much better than previously forecast. It is Mr. Jack Harris (St. John's East, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the great news for Canadians. Yesterday the IMF projected Canada to be replacement program for the navy's resupply vessels is so far behind one of the strongest growing economies in the years ahead. Today that the Conservatives are now considering using private ships to the Fraser Institute ranked Canada among the most economically resupply the navy while relying more on the United States. Despite free countries in the world. promising replacements in 2006, the Conservatives cancelled the program two years later. We are now years behind. Is this the future Canadians know they are better off with this Conservative for the Canadian navy: lend or lease? government. Hon. Rob Nicholson (Minister of National Defence, CPC): Mr. *** Speaker, that is not the case. The NDP usually gets it wrong on ● (1450) anything to do with Canada's military. That being said, there is a [Translation] vigorous program on both coasts: on the west coast and on the east coast. With respect to resupplying the Royal Canadian Navy, we will SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY get the job done. Ms. Laurin Liu (Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the group Evidence for Democracy revealed today the extent to which [Translation] federal scientists are isolated. The organization gave 15 departments a failing grade when it comes to protecting federal scientists from Ms. Élaine Michaud (Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, NDP): Mr. political interference. Speaker, the resupply ships fiasco continues. The Conservatives have used internal media directives to muzzle our scientists and ensure that their disturbing opinions remain hidden First, the Liberals announced that they were going to buy new away. ships in 2004, but the project was aborted. The Conservatives did the same thing in 2006, but did not follow through. Now they are When will the Conservatives stop their war on our scientists? promising new ships by 2020, and until then, they are thinking of [English] using a commercial vessel. Is that what is in store for the Royal Canadian Navy? Will it be using commercial vessels or borrowing Hon. Ed Holder (Minister of State (Science and Technology), ships from the U.S. Navy? Honestly. CPC): Mr. Speaker, that is just not the case. My hon. colleague knows well that this government has made record investments in science, technology, and innovation. She also knows that Canada is [English] ranked number one in the G7 for our support for scientific research and development in our colleges, universities, and research Hon. Rob Nicholson (Minister of National Defence, CPC): Mr. institutes. Ministers are the primary spokespersons for government Speaker, of course, anything from the private sector would be departments, yet scientists have been and are readily available to offending to the NDP. share their research with Canadians. Mr. Kennedy Stewart (Burnaby—Douglas, NDP): Mr. Speaker, That being said, nobody has had a better record of supplying, the minister is just cherry-picking stats, and what he really has to do refurbishing, and modernizing the Royal Canadian Navy, and that is back off and stop muzzling our scientists. Let us be clear. The would include the Halifax-class frigate modernization program, the government is so obsessed with controlling the message it spent $20 Globemaster strategic airlift, and the Arctic offshore patrol ships. million monitoring the media at the same time it was muzzling scientists. Thanks to the independent assessment by E4D of the We will continue to work. We will supply the Royal Canadian government's own policies, we can see the government's failure on Navy with what it needs. That is what we are committed to. transparency in black and white. Government scientists in the U.S. are more free to talk publicly *** about their work and are better protected from political interference. Why should Canadian scientists not be as free to talk about their [Translation] work as American scientists? Hon. Ed Holder (Minister of State (Science and Technology), THE ENVIRONMENT CPC): Mr. Speaker, if we want to talk facts, let us talk a few things here. Canadian federal departments and agencies produce over 4,000 Mr. Francis Scarpaleggia (Lac-Saint-Louis, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, science publications every year. Fact. Environment Canada fielded to date the government has failed in its feeble attempts to reach its nearly 2,500 media enquiries and published about 700 peer-reviewed own greenhouse gas reduction targets. The cause of this failure: articles this past year. Fisheries and Oceans Canada fielded 1,600 federal inaction, and by that I mean the abysmal lack of leadership media enquiries and published 500 peer-reviewed articles last year. on the part of this Conservative government, which has not even When it comes to science and technology, on this side of the House, bothered to meet with representatives of the oil sector since March we are interested in the facts. 2013 to discuss regulations for this sector. October 8, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 8409

Oral Questions When will the government take action and finally take the threat appears that the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans perhaps got of climate change seriously? worried about her seat, because the Conservatives decided they ● (1455) would split P.E.I. in two, effectively dividing islander against islander. The government itself projects that this move would cost [English] the average recipient in Charlottetown $2,560 in lost benefits, and Hon. Leona Aglukkaq (Minister of the Environment, Minister that is if they qualify at all. of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, CPC): Mr. Speaker, our My question for the government is this: Instead of ramming government record is very clear. We have taken decisive action in through this senseless move, why would the Conservatives not just a responsible way to protect our environment and support the fix EI so that all islanders will benefit? economy. Hon. Gail Shea (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, CPC): Mr. Thanks to our leadership and the efforts of different levels of Speaker, let me be clear that this change is all about fairness. Maybe government, businesses, and consumers, Canada's total greenhouse the member can tell his constituents and Nova Scotians how many gas emissions in 2020 are projected to be 130 megatonnes lower regions there are in Nova Scotia. than what they would have been under the Liberals. *** We will continue to move forward with regulatory measures that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating jobs. [Translation] Hon. John McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood, Lib.): Still HOUSING glued to the talking points, Mr. Speaker. Today and yesterday, the minister said the government's record is clear and we have had Mr. Robert Aubin (Trois-Rivières, NDP): Mr. Speaker, Con- decisive action— servative ministers from Quebec have done absolutely nothing for pyrrhotite victims. They would rather send the issue back to the Some hon. members: Oh, oh! Quebec courts. The Speaker: Order, please. The hon. member for Scarborough— Guildwood has the floor. The federal government is responsible for concrete aggregate Hon. John McKay: There seems to be some enthusiasm for the standards. However, it failed to prevent this tragedy. People in the question, Mr. Speaker. Mauricie region are calling for a public inquiry to look into this tragedy. The environment commissioner, however, says that federal departments have made unsatisfactory progress in the areas Will the minister listen and do what it takes to ensure that this kind examined. Timelines have not been met. Departments are not able of crisis never happens again? to assess whether the measures in place meet the emissions records Hon. Ed Holder (Minister of State (Science and Technology), expected. CPC): Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, the pyrrhotite issue Is this the record the minister is bragging about that is clear and falls under provincial jurisdiction. decisive? That would be talking point number four. The Government of Quebec has launched a very important Hon. Leona Aglukkaq (Minister of the Environment, Minister program to provide financial assistance to owners who are dealing of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and with pyrrhotite damage. Minister for the Arctic Council, CPC): Mr. Speaker— Some hon. members: Oh, oh! I urge people affected by this issue to contact the Société d'habitation du Québec. The Speaker: Order, please. The hon. Minister of the Environ- ment now has the floor. *** Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Mr. Speaker, I would like to read for the record a quote from the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, ● (1500) which told our department, upon the release of the report of the [English] environment commissioner, that it was quite disappointed in the environment commissioner's report, because it omitted information. INTERNATIONAL TRADE It said that the renewable fuel regulations introduced by this Ms. Joyce Bateman (Winnipeg South Centre, CPC): Mr. Conservative government have removed the equivalent of a million Speaker, a small town in Colorado has won a battle with the U.S. cars and trucks from our roads and that they did so while promoting federal government over a bridge that contained Canadian steel. A $3.5 billion of economic growth. protectionist policy known as “Buy America” would have forced the *** town to dismantle the bridge and to take the Canadian-made steel out in order to be eligible for a grant. EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE Mr. Robert Chisholm (Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NDP): Mr. Could the Minister of International Trade please update the House Speaker, after the Conservatives savaged EI in Atlantic Canada, it on the government's position regarding Buy America? 8410 COMMONS DEBATES October 8, 2014

Oral Questions Hon. Ed Fast (Minister of International Trade, CPC): Mr. On the contrary, our office in Mississauga has made very Speaker, I thank the member for that excellent question. We are significant progress on citizenship cases. The staff there have pleased to see that this issue has been resolved. The situation in processed a record number of cases this year, and the same is true of Colorado highlights how highly integrated the Canadian and U.S. family cases and economic immigration cases. economies are and how difficult it is to segregate North American We have made huge progress in reducing the backlog that we supply chains. inherited from the Liberal Party in 2006. Protectionism is bad policy and is bad for businesses on both sides of our borders. We will continue to oppose Buy America measures as *** we engage with our American trading partners to improve the free [English] flow of goods, services, and people between our two great countries. SPORT *** Mr. Kyle Seeback (Brampton West, CPC): Mr. Speaker, every VETERANS AFFAIRS day Canada gets closer to hosting the Pan Am and Parapan American Games. We will welcome 10,000 athletes, coaches, volunteers, and, Hon. Judy Sgro (York West, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, just weeks after of course, their families and friends from 41 participating countries. Ottawa police lost one of their own, the RCMP announced the death of Corporal Ron Francis. Sadly, the list of soldiers and first I am proud to say that our government is fully committed to these responders suffering with PTSD grows, yet little is being done to games, with funding that will provide sports facilities across Ontario help. Much is said about supporting our troops, but for those with and legacy initiatives that will leave a lasting impact for both high- PTSD, actions speak louder than words, and silence is all they see performance athletes and for families. from those with the power to prompt change. Could the Minister of State for Sport please provide an update on Will the government stand with first responders, outlaw harass- how Canadians can get involved in these games? ment, and create a PTSD strategy that will really work before we lose any more of our heroes? Hon. Bal Gosal (Minister of State (Sport), CPC): Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Brampton West for the question. Ms. Roxanne James (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister He is an Olympian himself. of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for that question. We are proud to be hosting the largest multi-sport games Canada has ever hosted next summer. The venues, including buildings such First and foremost, our prayers and our thoughts continue to go as the athletes' complex in North Shore, the Velodrome in Milton, out to the family of the RCMP officer, as well as to fellow officers and an aquatic facility in Scarborough, will leave a lasting legacy. within the RCMP. It was certainly a tragedy. I am also pleased that our government is supporting a torch relay, As the member knows, the RCMP continues to offer services to which I first announced alongside our honorary torchbearer, treat members with operational stress injuries, including PTSD. We Commander Chris Hadfield. Pan Am will need 3,000 volunteer rely on those services provided to help these individuals cope with torchbearers to carry the flame through 130 communities across their injuries. Ontario and five major cities across Canada that have hosted major I just also want to say in addition that RCMP officers also benefit games. from OSI clinics through Veterans Affairs Canada. I know that this will be an opportunity to showcase everything *** that Canada has to offer. I encourage everyone— [Translation] *** CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION ● (1505) Ms. Anne Minh-Thu Quach (Beauharnois—Salaberry, NDP): [Translation] Mr. Speaker, when the Minister of Immigration transferred case processing to Mississauga, he promised that there would be no CANADA POST additional delays. However, we are hearing a different story from our Mrs. Sadia Groguhé (Saint-Lambert, NDP): Mr. Speaker, constituents. Saint-Lambert's city council unanimously opposed the elimination of door-to-door mail delivery, which is slated for 2015 on Montreal's Whether it is for a work permit or family reunification, some of south shore. Canada Post's decision will deprive seniors in my my constituents have been waiting more than 13 months for a riding, such as Jocelyne Langis of Longueuil, of an essential service. response. That is absolutely unacceptable. Not everyone can pay a private company to deliver mail to their Does the minister fully realize that these delays, which are getting home. longer and longer all the time, are having a major impact on the lives of those involved? How can the government claim to be listening to the people when Hon. Chris Alexander (Minister of Citizenship and Immigra- it is ignoring the unanimous call by elected officials on the south tion, CPC): Mr. Speaker, that is not true. shore? October 8, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 8411

Routine Proceedings [English] COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE

Hon. Lisa Raitt (Minister of Transport, CPC): Mr. Speaker, PROCEDURE AND HOUSE AFFAIRS Canada Post currently only delivers to the doors of one-third of Canadian homes. It will be moving to phase that out over the next Mr. Joe Preston (Elgin—Middlesex—London, CPC): Mr. five years in order to ensure that it can remain self-sufficient, as it is Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, supposed to do under its constituting statutes. the 22nd report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. That said, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities has had this discussion. It has duly considered a recommendation and a The committee advises that pursuant to Standing Order 91.1(2), resolution asking the government to overturn Canada Post's decision, the subcommittee on private members' business met to consider the and it soundly defeated this resolution en masse. items added to the order of precedence as a result of the replenishment of Tuesday, September 23, 2014, and recommended Canada Post will continue to implement its five-point plan. that the items listed therein, which it has determined should not be designated non-votable, be considered by the House. *** ● (1510) [Translation] The Speaker: Pursuant to Standing Order 91.1(2), the report is MARINE TRANSPORTATION deemed adopted. Mr. Louis Plamondon (Bas-Richelieu—Nicolet—Bécancour, BQ): Mr. Speaker, next Sunday, another megaship will transport CANADIAN HERITAGE several tonnes of oil from the oil sands down the St. Lawrence. In a Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP) moved that unanimous resolution, the City of Sorel-Tracy called on the federal the second report from the Standing Committee on Canadian government to increase safety and inspection measures for these Heritage, presented on Wednesday, February 5, 2014, be concurred ships to require that they be prepared for a spill and that they draft a in. list of all of the liquids they are transporting on the river. In short, they are calling for anyone who uses the St. Lawrence to be socially, The Speaker: Is the House ready for the question? environmentally and financially responsible. Some hon. members: Question. Will the minister finally take action and suspend the transportation of dangerous goods on the river until she can ensure that the process The Speaker: The question is on the motion. Is it the pleasure of is safe and that there are emergency response measures in place? the House to adopt the motion? [English] Some hon. members: Agreed. Hon. Lisa Raitt (Minister of Transport, CPC): Mr. Speaker, Some hon. members: On division. Canada has a very robust system for dealing with the movement of tankers, whatever their product may be, internally. In fact, we have The Speaker: I declare the motion carried. already had an expert panel review these for us. It has come up with recommendations that we are looking at implementing now as well. (Motion agreed to) The system is safe. Mr. Joe Preston: Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I One other thing that I would like to mention is that we have been move that the 18th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure transporting cargoes of oil on the Atlantic coast for 100 years now. It and House Affairs, presented to the House early last week, be has always been done very safely, and people in that area are very concurred in. capable and qualified and competent to deal with anything that may The Speaker: Does the hon. member have the unanimous happen. consent of the House to propose the motion?

Some hon. members: Agreed. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS Some hon. members: No. [English] *** INTERPARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS PETITIONS

Mr. Ryan Leef (Yukon, CPC): Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing AGRICULTURE Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian delegation to the Mr. James Lunney (Nanaimo—Alberni, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association respecting its participa- have two petitions here. The first petition is with respect to the right tion in the meeting of the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of to save seeds. It is from some residents of Vancouver Island, who are the Arctic Region, held in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 10 to 11, asking Parliament to recognize the rights of farmers to save, reuse, 2014. collect, exchange, and sell seeds and to enact legislation to that end. 8412 COMMONS DEBATES October 8, 2014

Routine Proceedings HEALTH agricultural land of this irreplaceable natural resource for the long- Mr. James Lunney (Nanaimo—Alberni, CPC): Mr. Speaker, term benefits of all Canadians. the next two petitions are in favour of Motion No. 501, a motion ● (1515) calling for a national strategy for innovation, effectiveness, and cost- effectiveness in sustainable health care. That motion will come up GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS for debate in the new year. Mr. Alex Atamanenko (British Columbia Southern Interior, HUMANITARIAN AID IN GAZA NDP): Mr. Speaker, there are 200 names of citizens from Kamloops, British Columbia on this petition. Mr. Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by constituents and people in the Ottawa area who The petitioners are calling for us to adopt legislation requiring all note that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is critical and genetically modified products and ingredients to be labelled as that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine GMOs, thereby allowing consumers to make informed choices about Refugees in the Near East has declared an emergency. The their lifestyles. petitioners note that the U.S. has already contributed tens of millions of dollars, and they ask that Canada do the same. They are asking BISON that the government make an immediate contribution to UNRWA for the emergency and to help rebuild Gaza. Mr. Leon Benoit (Vegreville—Wainwright, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present two petitions today. FALUN GONG In the first petition, the petitioners call on Parliament to recognize Ms. Joyce Bateman (Winnipeg South Centre, CPC): Mr. August 9 as national bison day. They do this because bison have Speaker, it is my pleasure and honour to submit a petition from the played an important part in Canadian history and they still play an Falun Gong group in my riding. Falun Gong is a traditional Chinese important role in Canadian agriculture. spiritual discipline that consists of meditation, exercise, and moral teachings based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and SEX SELECTION tolerance. Mr. Leon Benoit (Vegreville—Wainwright, CPC): Mr. Speaker, ROUGE NATIONAL PARK as we approach the International Day of the Girl, the petitioners Mr. Dan Harris (Scarborough Southwest, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I remind Parliament that 92% of Canadians support ending sex- am presenting a petition from hundreds of local residents regarding selection pregnancy termination. the proposed Rouge national park. The petitioners respectfully ask the Government of Canada to protect the irreplaceable 100-square- The petitioners call on Parliament to condemn discrimination kilometre public land assembly within a healthy and sustainable against girls occurring through gender-selective pregnancy termina- Rouge national park. tion.

SEX SELECTION ROUGE NATIONAL PARK Mr. Mark Warawa (Langley, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I am Ms. Rathika Sitsabaiesan (Scarborough—Rouge River, NDP): honoured to present a petition that highlights that this Saturday is Mr. Speaker, I stand today to submit petitions on behalf of people International Day of the Girl. from all across the GTA on the creation of Rouge national park.

The petition highlights that CBC revealed that ultrasounds are The current Rouge Park is home to the endangered mixed being used in Canada to tell the sex of an unborn child so that woodland and Carolinian forest, the northernmost point in North expecting parents can terminate the pregnancy if it is a girl. Ninety- America, and the ancestral home of the Mississauga, Huron-Wendat, two per cent of Canadians believe that sex-selective pregnancy and Seneca first nations and their sacred burial and village sites. termination should be made illegal. The proposed legislation for the Rouge national urban park The petitioners are calling upon all members of Parliament to concept ignores the ecological integrity role of the existing Rouge condemn this practice of discrimination against girls. Park and a true Canadian national park. DURHAM REGION FEDERAL LANDS The petitioners respectfully ask the Government of Canada to Mr. Matthew Kellway (Beaches—East York, NDP): Mr. protect the irreplaceable 100 square kilometres of public land Speaker, I am very pleased to present a petition today with respect assembly within a healthy and sustainable Rouge national park. to the federal lands in Durham region. FALUN GONG The signatories to this petition point out that these lands encompass class one farmland and vital watersheds of the Oak Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP): Mr. Speaker, Ridges Moraine. I rise to present two petitions today. The petitioners call upon the House to rescind all plans for an Similar to my friend from Winnipeg, there are hundreds of airport and non-agricultural uses on these federal lands in Durham signatures on these petitions. The petitioners are residents primarily region and to act instead to preserve the watersheds and the of the greater Toronto area. October 8, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 8413

Routine Proceedings The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to recognize the ● (1520) oppression of practitioners of Falun Gong and Falun Dafa in the People's Republic of China. They call on the government to press the OJIBWAY PRAIRIE COMPLEX Government of the People's Republic of China to respect human rights, particularly those of religious minorities. Mr. Brian Masse (Windsor West, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the second petition is to protect the Ojibway Prairie Complex in the THE ENVIRONMENT Great Lakes area. This land is one of the last forested areas next to Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP): Mr. Speaker, the Great Lakes. The petitioners are calling for its protection and the second petition is from residents primarily of the Vancouver and assurance that it will be part of a larger environmental park for the Burnaby areas. region. The petitioners note the threat to the waters of the Salish Sea and FOREIGN AFFAIRS the surrounding areas from the Kinder Morgan proposal. They call on Parliament to create a permanent legislated ban on supertankers. Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP): Mr. Speak- er, I have a petition from a number of citizens of London, Ontario. Mr. Andrew Cash (Davenport, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present to the House today. They begin their petition by reminding us that Canada has long In the first petition, the petitioners call on the government to been known as a peacekeeping nation and that we take pride in the intervene and stop the development of the Sarnia-Montreal Line 9 neutral stance that we have taken during international conflicts. pipeline. They note that it goes through the most densely populated However, the petitioners are concerned that the current government area of the country, that being Toronto. They also note that the is increasingly favouring the Israeli side of the Palestinian-Israeli energy transport company Enbridge has a poor record when it comes conflict. They believe that this attitude poses a threat to our country's to pipeline safety. credibility in the international arena and affects how Canadians are perceived globally. They are concerned about this stance jeopardiz- EMPLOYMENT ing the safety, security, and well-being of Canadian families Mr. Andrew Cash (Davenport, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the second travelling abroad or residing in these areas of conflict. petition pertains to the issue of precarious work in the GTA. The petitioners ask all parliamentarians to voice concern about Right now, about 50% of all workers in Toronto cannot find a this one-sided approach that the current government has taken. stable full-time job. This petition supports my private member's bill to institute a national urban worker strategy. HUMAN RIGHTS CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION Mr. Kennedy Stewart (Burnaby—Douglas, NDP): Mr. Speaker, Mr. Brent Rathgeber (Edmonton—St. Albert, Ind.): Mr. I rise today to present a petition from people in my riding who have Speaker, I have two petitions to present today. ancestry and links to Hong Kong regarding the pro-democracy The first petition is on behalf of 112 residents of Edmonton—St. movement in Hong Kong. They believe that this pro-democracy Albert. The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to movement is essential to restoring and enhancing basic human rights recognize the dire situation of Christians in Iraq and to speed the in Hong Kong. refugee process to help displaced Christians and give them safe passage into refugee status. The petitioners call upon the government to denounce the use of violence, evaluate China's human rights record, implement trade FALUN GONG sanctions against China, and perhaps stop pipeline projects in Mr. Brent Rathgeber (Edmonton—St. Albert, Ind.): Mr. Canada that benefit the Chinese government. They urge the Speaker, the second petition is signed by 1,671 residents of government to make an official statement on the actions in Hong Edmonton—St. Albert. Kong. The petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to recognize [Translation] the plight of Falun Gong and the Falun Dafa practitioners and the persecution they face in China. They call on the Government of CANADA POST Canada to press the Government of China to end their horrific Mr. Pierre-Luc Dusseault (Sherbrooke, NDP): Mr. Speaker, it persecution. is my honour and my great privilege to present a petition about VETERANS AFFAIRS service cuts at Canada Post signed by several thousand people from Mr. Brian Masse (Windsor West, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I have Sherbrooke. two petitions to present. Many people condemn these service cuts. They want quality, The first petition is asking the government not to close the accessible service from their federal government, and that includes veterans office in Windsor, which it has done. The petitioners home mail delivery. especially note that Windsor was heavily recruited for soldiers, both men and women. They believe that the services should be restored in It is an honour and a privilege to present this petition on behalf of Windsor. the people of Sherbrooke. 8414 COMMONS DEBATES October 8, 2014

Government Orders [English] GOVERNMENT ORDERS

QUESTIONS ON THE ORDER PAPER [English] Mr. Tom Lukiwski (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I ROUGE NATIONAL URBAN PARK ACT ask that all questions be allowed to stand. The House resumed from October 2 consideration of the motion The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bruce Stanton): Is that agreed? that Bill C-40, An Act respecting the Rouge National Urban Park, be read the second time and referred to a committee. Some hon. members: Agreed. Mr. Matthew Kellway (Beaches—East York, NDP): Mr. *** Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to stand in the House today to MOTIONS FOR PAPERS participate in the debate on Bill C-40, an act respecting the Rouge national urban park. Mr. Tom Lukiwski (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I While I stand in support of this bill at this stage of the legislative ask that all notices of motions for the production of papers be process, my remarks today are by no means free of criticism of the allowed to stand. bill. In fact, this speech, as with all the speeches from the NDP The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bruce Stanton): Is that agreed? caucus, is intended to send a clear message that significant amendments need to be made to the bill in order to garner support Some hon. members: Agreed. through to the end of the legislative process.

*** Of course, the criticism herein is intended to be constructive. It is a plea to the government to raise its sights, its ambitions, and to do PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS three things: realize the great potential of this project; realize the The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bruce Stanton): The Chair would like dreams of a whole lot of hard-working citizens who always had to take a moment to provide some information to the House before them a clear sense of the great potential of this project; and set regarding the management of private members' business. a precedent for a new kind of Canadian park, a national urban park. [Translation] There is an existing Rouge Park. At 47 square kilometres, it is one As members know, after the order of precedence is replenished, of North America's largest and sits amidst about 20% of Canada's the Chair reviews the new items so as to alert the House to bills that total population. at first glance appear to impinge on the financial prerogative of the crown. This allows members the opportunity to intervene in a timely The park is rich in its diversity of nature and culture. It includes a fashion to present their views about the need for those bills to be rare Carolinian forest, numerous species at risk, internationally accompanied by a royal recommendation. significant geological outcroppings from the interglacial age, and evidence of human history dating back 10,000 years, including some [English] of Canada's oldest known aboriginal historic sites and villages.

Accordingly, following the September 23, 2014, replenishment of For many years, these resources have been under the stewardship the order of precedence with 15 new items, I wish to inform the of the Rouge Park Alliance, an alliance of many groups, including House that there is a bill that gives the Chair some concern as to the dedicated citizen groups, but there is now before us the opportunity spending provisions it contemplates. to move this park and add other resources to it under the stewardship [Translation] of Parks Canada and its commitment to ecological integrity. It is Bill C-622, An Act to amend the National Defence Act The proposed Rouge national urban park should provide (transparency and accountability), to enact the Intelligence and protection and restoration of forests and wetland areas to soften Security Committee of Parliament Act, and to make consequential the impacts of urban growth, improve the quality of water entering amendments to other Acts, standing in the name of the member for Lake Ontario, reduce the risks of climate change-related flooding, Vancouver Quadra. erosion, and property damage, and improve habitat for rare and endangered species. This is important. [English] I would encourage hon. members who would like to make We have built our cities and continue to build our cities with arguments regarding the need for a royal recommendation for this insufficient care and respect for the ecological integrity of the nature bill or any other bills now on the order of precedence to do so at an that runs through them and borders them, and more than that, with early opportunity. insufficient care and attention to the application of the notion of ecological integrity to how we build and grow cities themselves. ● (1525) There is a certain bitter irony in this. [Translation] As pointed out in a report by Ontario Nature and the Suzuki I thank honourable members for their attention. Foundation, entitled “Biodiversity in Ontario's Greenbelt”: October 8, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 8415

Government Orders Humans chose to settle in this part of Ontario in large part because of the rich would require only that the minister “take into consideration the diversity and fertility of the land. Millions now make their home in this region, as do protection of its natural ecosystems and cultural landscapes and the a large number of our most enchanting species at risk.... maintenance of its native wildlife and of the health of those Evidence of that once beautiful natural landscape remains in ecosystems”. This flies in the face of Parks Canada's own governing Toronto. A recent Toronto Star article put it this way: legislation and policies that specify the maintenance or restoration of The city of Toronto was built on the backs of its rivers. Nine rivers and creeks ecological integrity through the protection of natural resources and flow through its rich valleys and pour into Lake Ontario, making rivers as essential a natural processes and the fact that this should be the first priority of part of Toronto's landscape as the CN Tower or Queen's Park. the minister when considering all aspects of the management of its parks. Said Robert Fulford in his book Accidental City, “The ravines are to Toronto what canals are to Venice and hills are to San Francisco”. What is more, this language affords, according to a recent legal Some of those rivers were lost but have since been found. Groups review by Ecojustice, significantly less protection than Ontario's such as the Toronto Green Community and the Toronto Field Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act. In failing to do so, Naturalists actually provide Lost River Walks in the city. Some it would appear to be an obvious breach of the memorandum of rivers, such as the Humber, the Don, and the Rouge, their various agreement between Parks Canada and the Ontario government, branches and tributaries, remain essential to what Toronto is and which requires that the policies that govern the Rouge national urban more important, remain essential to visions of what Toronto could park meet or exceed provincial policies. actually be if we took care to restore and preserve their ecological integrity. This is how we end up in this position, with the Ontario There are innumerable groups on the ground in our urban government withholding the transfer of lands to Parks Canada until communities animated by a vision of preserving and restoring the the federal government commits in effect, and really quite natural and cultural heritage of these rivers, preserving and restoring perversely, to live up to its own legislative priorities and that which brought people to settle there and live off that part of the commitments. land in the first place. ● (1530) The bill needs to change so it is consistent with the Canada In my riding, for example, the Taylor Massey project was National Parks Act and lives up to commitments made to the developed by a group of volunteers a decade ago for the purpose of Government of Ontario so we can get on with the great opportunity increasing community awareness of this 16 kilometre watercourse of creating a first and great national urban park along the Rouge and for the purpose of restoring the natural heritage of the creek's River watershed. valley lands and to improve the water quality and aquatic habitats of this urban creek. Let me conclude by saying, with respect to the many people who are putting their minds and energy to this issue, that we have not The Taylor Massey creek flows into the Don River. By 1969, the really arrived at a clear understanding of what the ecological Don River was reportedly not much more than a city sewer. That integrity of the urban actually looks like. However, I approach that prompted some to call it dead. Therefore, on November 16 of that issue with the same optimism and the same ambition as I do this year, 200 mourners paraded from the University of Toronto campus legislation. The urban and the concept of ecological integrity ought down to the banks of the Don River in a mock funeral procession not to stand in contradistinction. Indeed, in light of the incredible complete with hearse. rate of urbanization globally, we have to make meaningful the notion If it was indeed dead, then it has risen from the dead, thanks to the of “urban ecological integrity”. A first national urban park is the first efforts of countless citizens, but not yet fully recovered because good step along that path. much more effort is required. I am thankful for those people who commit their free time and energy to its revitalization and to realize, ● (1535) for their own projects, for their own communities, for the benefit of all of us, what we have now the opportunity to do for the Rouge Hon. Michael Chong (Wellington—Halton Hills, CPC): Mr. River. Speaker, I have listened carefully to the member's critique of the bill. What we have in this legislation is a great opportunity. With respect to the Rouge, so many people have brought us to this point I believe the bill, as it is currently drafted, would allow Parks where this land can be brought under the stewardship of Parks Canada to implement a management plan for the park that would Canada. As stated on its website: ensure a higher standard of ecological integrity for this new national Parks Canada's objective is to allow people to enjoy national parks as special urban park than is currently the case for parks in the Ontario places without damaging their integrity. In other words, ecological integrity is our provincial park system, parks like Algonquin and Killarney. endpoint for park management... However, rather than bringing to the urban park the same In the provincial statute, I note that the province is mandated to commitment, indeed legislatively set out priority, to ecological protect ecological integrity. Equally, the province is required to integrity that is applied to its other parks, the legislation would shed protect Ontario's natural and cultural heritage. Both are given equal that commitment and shake loose that priority. Bill C-40, in fact, weight in the provincial statutes. 8416 COMMONS DEBATES October 8, 2014

Government Orders The approach taken in the federal legislation is no different. The body like Parks Canada, pre-eminent in the world in terms of its big difference is in the actual implementation of these laws. I believe stewardship— Parks Canada will interpret these laws to a much higher standard than is the case in the Province of Ontario. That will please residents ● (1540) of this area, because the Rouge will exceed Algonquin and other The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bruce Stanton): Order, please. The types of provincial parks. hon. member for Beaches—East York. Mr. Matthew Kellway: Mr. Speaker, with all due respect to the member's assurances, I take cold comfort in that. Mr. Matthew Kellway: Quite simply, Mr. Speaker, the language of the bill does not require it to happen. One of the issues is that the management of the provincial parks is happening at a lower standard than the principles and priorities set I appreciate the member's point that this is a qualitatively different out in this federal legislation. This bill explicitly stands in park than the remote parks under the stewardship of Parks Canada. contradiction of the priorities as set out in the prevailing legislation However, my point is, given, as per the UN's department of for national parks. economic and social affairs, that all population growth on this planet will be urban for the next four decades, we need to find a way to What we are seeking and asking is that the bill be amended in make sense of applying the principle and priority of ecological order to retain the priority of ecological integrity for the management integrity to our cities, how we build them and grow them. Having of the Rouge national urban park. Canada's first national urban park is a great way to start down that Mr. Mike Sullivan (York South—Weston, NDP): Mr. Speaker, road. there are a number of ironies in the government's approach to environmental issues. One of them is that this river used to be Mr. Mike Sullivan (York South—Weston, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I protected by the Navigable Waters Protection Act, and that was will be sharing my time with the member for Davenport. removed by the government. The notion of ecological integrity is one that may be foreign to We have put forward private members' bills, and I believe the some of the members opposite. Certainly it is foreign to the way the member has as well, to re-protect these waters. government has approached many of the issues that have arisen over the course of its term in office in terms of protecting and enhancing Would the member like to comment on the apparent contradiction the environment. by the government? Mr. Matthew Kellway: Mr. Speaker, I, too, have presented The member for Thornhill, who most recently asked a question, petitions with respect to the Don River, which borders against my was at one point the minister of the environment when one of the riding in Toronto, Beaches—East York. worst pieces of legislation, as far as the environment is concerned, was introduced. That was the budget implementation bill of 2012, As I commented in my speech, many people over many long years which in fact eliminated environmental protection through the have put in a lot of effort to ensure that the Don River has been environmental assessment act and replaced it with an act that revitalized and that it comes closer to the principle of ecological basically does very little to protect the environment. integrity, as it flows through the city. This same government then, in another budget implementation This is the great opportunity we have with the Rouge park, that bill, removed the protection for Canada's water systems, the under the protection of an appropriately worded bill, that river, too, watercourses, for the rivers, the lakes, the streams that run all over can be protected and live up to the principles and priority that exists our country. Some 250,000 of them used to be protected and now we under the National Parks Act of ecological integrity. are down to something like less than a hundred. Therefore, Hon. Peter Kent (Thornhill, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I thank my ecological integrity is not top of mind for the members opposite. hon. colleague for his obvious commitment to the rivers and natural places across the GTA. That said, we support and we will fight for the notion of creating an ecological preserve in the heart of an urban area, in particular in With regard to the question of ecological integrity, the general Toronto, where I live. It will hopefully set a precedent for the definition is that in our great and wild national parks ecological creation of other urban area ecological integrity preserves in many integrity is very often taken to allow nature to take its course, urban areas in Canada. As the member for Beaches—East York said, whether that is wildfires, floods or erosion, the natural changes that all of the population growth is going to happen in the cities in the take place across these spaces. next 40 years. In the parks plan for our oldest parks, Banff and Jasper, for example, there are provisions for interventions around townsites, We need to get it right. We need to design our park systems to around the townsite of Banff or Jasper, for example, with regard to protect the integrity of the ecology. We need to design them to fighting fires, floods, controlling river flows, town dumps and the provide access to the burgeoning populations of these great use of infrastructure of these towns. metropolises, while not allowing that access to degrade the park. We need to be able to use these systems for the creation of parks to Parks Canada has made a commitment. Certainly the stewards of provide us with the necessary climate change adaptation that we are the Rouge Park Alliance over the years have been looking for one now going to be facing. October 8, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 8417

Government Orders There are members opposite who used to talk about climate In addition, the whole notion of will give consideration, which is change adaptation. In fact, it was the member for Thornhill's part of what the bill is about, is one of the things that we have serious favourite words over the course of his term in office. He said we reservations about and the Province of Ontario has serious were not going to protect against climate change; we were going to reservations about. That phrasing is in keeping with the govern- adapt to it. That seems to have fallen off because someone ment's general approach to the environment, which is “We will give discovered it costs money to protect us against climate change, but it some thought, but we are not going to be held to anything. We are we still need to do it. not going to actually guarantee that we are going to do anything”. That is one of the reasons the Province of Ontario has withdrawn its One of the ways to do it is to design and protect the integrity of support at the moment for transferring its lands into this set of lands. watercourses that flow through our urban areas. One of these It is afraid that the word “consideration” will mean that the park's watercourses is the Rouge River. The Rouge River gets its start in ecology can be degraded in a manner that it would not have allowed. the headlands north of Toronto in the Oak Ridges Moraine and carries fresh water from a huge area of drainage to Lake Ontario, I believe that the Province of Ontario may have it right. We do not thus protecting that watercourse. always agree with the way the Province of Ontario behaves, but in this case it may have it right. We need to correct the bill in order to Protecting what flows into that water and protecting the lands make sure that the integrity of the park and the integrity of the entire around that water will also protect the integrity of Lake Ontario. system is protected and maintained. Lake Ontario is the drinking water source for several million Canadians. Ultimately it flows down the St. Lawrence toward In addition, there is an opportunity with something called Montreal and becomes the drinking water source for many more Pickering lands, which are lands that are north of this park, that Canadians. Therefore, protecting the integrity of that water system is presents itself to the drafters of the bill and to the government to something that we should be paying careful and close attention to. include a much bigger area in the protections that this park We cannot do it by removing protections, which is what the legislation is meant to provide. We should not bypass that government has done in the past. opportunity to try to find a way to protect more of the Oak Ridges Moraine, to connect this park to the Oak Ridges Moraine, because The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act now basically does right now the town of Stouffville has way too much development in not protect the environment at all. That was back in 2012, more than it to connect it otherwise. Therefore, connecting it through the two years ago. Schedule 2 has yet to be published. We still do not Pickering lands would be a good additional step. know what an environmental assessment will do in terms of human health. A number of pieces of what is to be protected by the Finally, I want to say something about what was referred to in part environmental assessment is still not defined because the govern- by the member for Beaches—East York and that is the notion of the ment has still not published the regulations. potential for flooding, the potential for climate-change-wrought, weather-related devastation to parts of the city of Toronto. One of the It is that kind of laissez-faire attitude that we on this side of the things we discovered in my riding is that despite the actions of the House wish to correct. One of the things we hope to do by giving Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, some devastating Bill C-40 support is to bring these flaws to the attention of its flooding took place in the July 8 storm in which more water fell than drafters in the environmental committee over the course of the next in Hurricane Hazel and it fell in shorter time. That flooding is a few weeks and months, so that we can make the corrections that are direct result of the massive changes to the weather systems that we necessary to make the bill much more robust and a better example of are seeing and we are not prepared for it. The cities are not prepared a precedent for other cities in the country. for it. ● (1545) The creation of this park could give the federal government, the With this bill we need to provide for a way to adopt the long- provincial government and the city of Toronto the opportunity to standing vision that has been around for many years for the Rouge study ways to prevent the kind of disaster that happened on July 8, Park. We need to strengthen and implement the existing environ- 2013, and to find ways to make sure that water flow is managed in mental protection policy framework and that includes protecting the such a way that it does not affect human habitation around it. The watercourse. The removal of the watercourse from the Navigable alternative is to spend hundreds of billions of dollars in redirecting Waters Protection Act, some may wonder what difference that really water through giant sewers and creating a whole new set of makes in this day and age. Surprisingly, a meeting between the infrastructure that the city cannot afford to do. It would be turning to Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and Enbridge about the federal government to afford to do that and the federal Line 9, which flows across this park and across the Rouge River, government has already said there are limits in how far it can go. advised the conservation authority that the removal of the water- course from the Navigable Waters Protection Act meant that they no ● (1550) longer had to put shut-offs on an oil pipeline as it crossed the river. In closing, we do appreciate the effects of the bill, but we wish to This is one of the consequences of removing the protection. see it go to committee so that it can be seriously amended in such a Was that a deliberate act on the part of the government? I hope way as to give the land the protection it deserves. not, but it is a consequence of that act and it is a consequence that we Mr. Corneliu Chisu (Pickering—Scarborough East, CPC): Mr. cannot sit idly by and let go on. Imagine if we create this wonderful Speaker, the Rouge national urban park would be unlike other park and Line 9 bursts over the river? What utter degradation. What national parks. It would include major highways, rail lines, homes, utter devastation to the Rouge River would happen then. businesses and hydro corridors as well as farmland. 8418 COMMONS DEBATES October 8, 2014

Government Orders Ecosystems have integrity when their native components are Mr. Mike Sullivan: Mr. Speaker, I am not confident that the intact, because ecosystems are constantly changing. Conservation current wording of the bill would provide the protections necessary strategies, which have ecological integrity as their primary goal, so that this park could achieve its fullest potential. Although we are should maintain or resolve key ecological processes that reflect their agreeing to support the bill at second reading, that is one of the natural condition, such as fire, flooding, death and disease outbreaks, reasons we will be presenting significant amendments to the bill, in among others. These aspects make the concept of ecological order to reinforce the notion that the ecological integrity of the park integrity inappropriate for the national urban park. is something that requires protection, not merely consideration.

Ecological health is an approach that recognizes the park's The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bruce Stanton): Resuming debate. I increasingly urban surroundings. Parks Canada would manage the have noted the other members who were not able to get up on this park in an adaptive way so that it stays healthy and strong while last round of questions and comments. We will do our best to work respecting that the park is located in an urban centre. This approach them into the next round or two. allows us to balance the pressure of an urban environment.

Does the member recognize that there is a need for legislation The hon. member for Davenport. defining an urban national park, which is different from the legislation of a national park? Mr. Andrew Cash (Davenport, NDP): Mr. Speaker, it is an Mr. Mike Sullivan: Mr. Speaker, I do not disagree with the honour to rise in this place on behalf of the good people of member opposite that this is a different kind of park, but I do Davenport in the great city of Toronto to debate this bill on an urban disagree that we cannot strive to do more than just consider the park in Toronto. In fact, it is in Scarborough, which is a little dear to ecological integrity of the park. I believe that we need to preserve the my heart, given that I grew up in Scarborough. ecological integrity of the park, and that ecological integrity includes a lot of human activity. It is important to note that there are many people who grow up in Toronto and in greater Toronto area, and there are many people who I am concerned that human activity could increase exponentially live in Toronto, who are cut off from the natural endowments the city to the detriment of the park and the legislation could not stop it. offers. There are many reasons that happens. I am dwelling on this Mr. Arnold Chan (Scarborough—Agincourt, Lib.): Mr. Speak- because of the importance of having green space in an urban context. er, the member for York South—Weston talked in his excellent That is important, as long as people have access to it. speech about the importance of connectivity between the Oak Ridges Moraine and through the Rouge national park. Some of the I have spoken to seniors, for example, in my community who stakeholders, including, for example, the Friends of the Rouge, came to Canada as immigrants and worked very hard their whole have suggested that we should have wider corridors, perhaps in the lives and never actually had the opportunity to experience the lake. order of about 600-metre corridors. In fact, they did not even realize that Toronto was right beside a lake. Does the member have any particular comment with respect to the They have not had the opportunity to explore the green spaces. suggestion that is coming from the Friends of the Rouge Park? ● (1555) Scarborough has acquired a reputation, which I have always felt was incredibly unfair, even though I grew up at Markham and Mr. Mike Sullivan: Mr. Speaker, I will not get into specifics Lawrence, as being a concrete jungle. In fact, it has some of the most about the actual width of any particular corridor. beautiful southern Ontario landscapes one could imagine. I invite My comments were that if the park can be expanded to include you down any time, Mr. Speaker. lands to the north that connect the park to the moraine, which is the source of the water that flows down the Rouge River, then it would The issue I am raising is the issue of access. We have so much to provide us with a better opportunity to protect what eventually flows offer in the city of Toronto, but we have a growing gap between down into the park. It would provide us with a better opportunity to those who can access these wonders and those who cannot. That gap study, to enhance and to hopefully preserve what is a wonderful largely hinges on economics and the income gap between the rich ecological piece of the city of Toronto that requires a protection that and the poor. is currently not provided. Mr. Andrew Cash (Davenport, NDP): Mr. Speaker, it is an We have communities in the north part of our city with young honour to ask a question on this very important issue among many people who have never gone downtown or visited City Hall, colleagues from Scarborough, which I think is an exciting thing although these days, I do not know if people would want to visit City because that is where I am from originally. Hall. These young people have never visited the museums in Given the government's environmental track record, given the downtown Toronto. They have never swum in the lake that is right government's laggard behaviour vis-a-vis climate change—in fact it there, at the side of the Gardiner Expressway. was only a few years ago it was denying the existence of climate change—is the member for York South—Weston confident and A project that is going to create an urban national park in the comfortable that the protections in the bill would see the Rouge eastern part of the city is incredibly important, if we do it right. The national urban park fulfill all of its possibilities and potential? NDP has a number of questions about whether we are doing it right. October 8, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 8419

Government Orders ● (1600) ● (1605) [Translation] Hon. Michael Chong (Wellington—Halton Hills, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I want to compare and contrast the legislation in front of us The NDP is strongly in favour of protecting the ecological with provincial legislation that governs provincial parks. integrity of Canada through the creation of national parks. However, these parks must be protected by strong environmental legislation Yes, it is true that provincial legislation includes the words backed up by sound, scientifically based management plans. The “ecological integrity”, but those words mean little if we look at the Rouge Park is no exception. overall provincial legislation. Let us compare the two pieces of [English] legislation, provincial and federal, with respect to two issues, logging and hunting. There is conditional support. We support moving the bill to committee to strengthen it. Part of the reason is that we do not trust The Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006, says, the Conservative government on the issue of environmental in respect of hunting, in subsection 15(2), “hunting is permitted on protection. It has a long record of doing everything in its power, the public lands...added to Algonquin Park”. What does the federal which is considerable right now, unfortunately, to diminish, statute say in clause 18? It says it is prohibited to “(b) hunt a wild denigrate, and demolish environmental protection right across this animal in the Park”. country. We are very concerned about this. I will do a second quick comparison. The Provincial Parks and The way the government has first made a promise then delivered a Conservation Reserves Act, 2006, says, in subsection 17(1), “timber bill that is weaker than the promise gives New Democrats some real may be harvested for commercial purposes in Algonquin Provincial concerns. Park”. The federal statute says, in subsection 18(2), that it is From coast to coast to coast, Canadians recognize the importance prohibited to “(f) harvest timber in the Park”. of oversight and well-funded institutions that protect our environ- ment and well-funded parks. The federal legislation in front of us clearly is stronger in respect of the actual outcomes of protecting the park. The Rouge Park would New Democrats have many concerns about this bill, which we be a better protected park than Algonquin Provincial Park, and that is want to address in committee. why I am happy that the member opposite is supporting this legislation. [Translation] Mr. Andrew Cash: Mr. Speaker, I was listening for a question, We believe the national park legislation and management plan but it was a comment. should adopt the long-standing Rouge Park vision, goal and objectives; strengthen and implement the existing environmental I would simply like to say that words matter in legislation. Of protection policy framework; protect a healthy and sustainable 100 2 course, we stand here day in and day out and in committee battling km Rouge national park area; restore a sustainable and integrated over words, because they actually mean a lot. That is why we are natural heritage system; dedicate more of the park to nature and raising these concerns about the weakening of the protections that public enjoyment instead of private leases; transition towards are in the bill right now. smaller-scale farms that support healthy local food production; clearly prioritize ecological health and conservation of the Carolinian Mr. Adam Vaughan (Trinity—Spadina, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, and mixed woodland plain forest; ensure that all activities that may putting aside the very strange comment we just heard from the affect the Rouge national urban park undergo staunch environmental opposite side, my question is not about whether the Conservatives do assessments; and, finally, include a science-based management plan. or do not support hunting and do or do not support logging. [English] Apparently they do not anymore. That is news, I guess, to many of their party followers. In other words, we have a long list of items we need to raise. We have a park, and the partner with the largest parcel of land is not in The issue that I think concerns us all is the environmental support of the direction the government is going right now. That also standards that have to do with the quality of water, the quality of soil, underlines a serious concern, and the concern is about leadership. and the quality of the natural infrastructure. The concern is about the seriousness with which we take our actions in this regard. Does the member share the concern of our party that the federal standards do not speak to water quality and the quality of the It is incumbent upon the government to work with all the biosphere and to whether some of the runoff from local farms may in stakeholders in a manner that moves this park forward in the way it fact damage the quality of the natural environment we seek to protect was described initially. It is also important that we look at the natural with the park designation? value and work together to find a way to bring this forward in the manner in which it was initially planned. Mr. Andrew Cash: Mr. Speaker, the short answer is yes, we share those concerns. It is why we are calling for the legislation to include On this side of the House, we look forward to working with our some of these issues, such as a transition toward smaller-scale farms fellow parliamentarians to see this park finally realized with the that support healthy, local food production, which of course would strongest environmental and ecological protections it should have. mitigate some of the potential runoff. 8420 COMMONS DEBATES October 8, 2014

Government Orders We have concerns. The Conservatives have been weak on potential national urban park would afford to many residents within environmental protection in general. The issues with the bill before the greater Golden Horseshoe. It represents one of the last great us underline the concerns that we and many Canadians have. unspoiled wildernesses and also happens to be coupled with some of ● (1610) the most outstanding farmland in the country. For example, my Mr. Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre, NDP): Mr. Speaker, my family has also had the privilege of going on a number of occasions colleague from London has brought in a private member's motion on to Whittamore's Farm. Those were opportunities to expose my urban forests. Clearly one of the things that is important is having a family to farming culture, particularly as we enter into the fall national strategy, and that is part of her bill. harvest season. Could my colleague share with me the importance of protecting Let me simply join my colleagues on all sides of the House in parks and urban forests and the importance of the national strategy expressing my excitement at the potential opportunity that the the NDP has put forward? creation of this new national urban park would afford to our Mr. Andrew Cash: Mr. Speaker, as my colleague for Beaches— community and to all residents within Toronto. East York never wastes an opportunity to underline in this place, Canada is increasingly an urban country, and we are facing a climate I am also particularly pleased to see that the government is change crisis. We are facing increasing difficulty in our urban areas building upon the tremendous work that has been done by the with extreme heat and various other issues related to climate change. provincial government with the establishment of the Greenbelt in 2005. The Greenbelt is one of the largest and most successful areas What is important is the precedent it sets and the signal it sends to of preserved green space in the world and serves as a showcase for other levels of government that we take these issues seriously in our what an urban green space can offer on a large and significant scale. urban areas. I had the privilege of being in the legislature as a staffer at the time, [Translation] and I watched this wonderful legacy unfold. The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bruce Stanton): Before resuming debate, it is my duty, pursuant to Standing Order 38, to inform the Unfortunately, at that time the Ontario Conservatives wanted to House that the questions to be raised tonight at the time of allow continued development on this precious piece of land, as we adjournment are as follows: the hon. member for Acadie—Bathurst, may hear from certain members in this House, so it is heartening to Rail Transportation; and the hon. member for Vancouver Quadra, see support from the government in the House today and to National Defence. recognize that it is indeed time to establish a national urban park. I do want to recognize the tremendous work that has been done on all [English] sides of the House and by many stakeholders over the last 20 years, Mr. Arnold Chan (Scarborough—Agincourt, Lib.): Mr. Speak- work that has led to where things sit today. er, I rise in the House today to join the debate on Bill C-40, an act respecting the Rouge national urban park. The Rouge national park would provide important connectivity This legislation would create the first national urban park in with, for example, the sensitive Oak Ridges Moraine leading to the Canada, which is a positive step forward for our national park shoreline of Lake Ontario. Earlier the member for York South— system. Having an area of pristine wildlife so close to 20% of Weston highlighted the importance of creating linkages and Canada's population will offer a great value to the entire nation. connectivities between these various important spaces. While the proposed Rouge national urban park is not within my ● (1615) riding of Scarborough—Agincourt, I grew up only a few short kilometres away, and I can tell the House that the Rouge lands are We support this particular bill, and it appears that essentially all truly a national treasure. I remember attending my first day camp parties across this House will likely be supporting the bill as it moves near the metropolitan zoo in Toronto when I was about 8 or 9 years forward at second reading. However, like most things that the old, and in many ways this was my first exposure to the splendours government does, its efforts to create this new national urban park, at of the Rouge Valley system. Because I came from an immigrant least from our perspective, fall short in some key aspects. family without significant means, this was in many ways my first exposure to the outdoors. This park is to be created using lands currently held by the Government of Ontario. In fact, lands being held by the Government More recently, over the past number of years I have had the of Ontario would represent approximately two-thirds of the total pleasure of going back to the Rouge Valley as a cub pack leader and park lands if and when they were transferred to federal control. as a scout troop leader, participating in programs such as the 10,000 However, despite the fact that intergovernmental talks have been trees for the Rouge program and planting trees in the Rouge park to going on for a number of years and should be a shining example of add to the wonderful biodiversity found there. intergovernmental co-operation, sadly, we have sometimes seen strife taking place between the two orders of government. My family has taken significant advantage of the Glen Rouge campground that is run by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. For example, when the government was supposed to have engaged in a positive announcement last summer when it was It is a fabulous opportunity. We have heard from colleagues on all signing the memorandum of agreement to create this national park, it sides of the House about the tremendous accessibility that this unfortunately turned out to be a bit of a public relations nightmare. October 8, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 8421

Government Orders I do not necessarily want to diminish the long-standing efforts of ● (1620) the many people who have been the driving force behind this park or on the long consultative process that has occurred, but if the While the Liberal Party supports the creation of this park and government was truly committed to building a first-class national especially the significant expansion of a park system that the urban park, we have to ask why so many environmental groups are residents in this particular area already enjoy, it is critical that we get applauding the recent actions of the Ontario government. this right the first time. I ask the government to continue to work with the Province of Ontario and with key stakeholders to build the In this debate I have heard the accusation that the Government of best possible legislation before this House. I ask the Conservatives to Ontario is playing politics with the formation of the Rouge national honour the agreement that they signed and to work with the requests park, but the question is who is playing politics with whom. For that have been advanced by key environmental groups. I also ask example, it was this government that blindsided the provincial them to simply be open to changes in order to build a bill that will government when the announcement was made last year about the have a lasting legacy for all of our children. ongoing development of the Pickering airport at the same press conference, and the Government of Ontario was not given a heads- A national urban park in a major urban centre like Toronto can up that it would be happening. ignite the imagination of Canadians and bring joy and knowledge Let us be frank: it is not as though the government has a reputation about the importance of the outdoors, just as it did for me when I was for sound environmental bona fides. Members could just read, for a young lad. However, it can only be done if we get it right, and it example, the Commissioner of the Environment's report that was can only be done if we make the necessary changes to this bill. issued yesterday, which was damning in its conclusion that we would not meet the Copenhagen greenhouse gas emission targets by Let me conclude by asking the members opposite to work with all 2020. sides of the House so that we can fix this bill. This is the same government that has also seen substantial Mr. Paul Calandra (Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime reductions in Parks Canada staff, despite the fact, as I will Minister and for Intergovernmental Affairs, CPC): Mr. Speaker, acknowledge, that the government has set aside a significant amount the hon. member might have his timelines a bit mixed up. In fact, of funds, in the order of over $140 million, for the creation of this this government was prepared to announce the signed memorandum new national urban park. of agreement that we had with the Liberal Ontario government back in May, but a provincial election was called. The election terminated It is no wonder that the Government of Ontario and leading the announcement, because we cannot make those types of environmental groups just do not trust the government when it announcements during provincial elections. comes to acting in the best interests of the environment. The member is asking us to live up to the signed agreement; we After a decade of environmental management of the Greenbelt, are quite prepared to do that. We will do that tomorrow. We are which the Rouge park will become an integral part of, the prepared to live up to the signed agreement that we have with the Government of Ontario requested some assurances from the federal Province of Ontario. If the member would like to call the provincial government that it would continue to protect this land, as was minister here, or we could go there, we will actually sign that befitting a national park. agreement that we have in place. We have had it in place since May. Sadly, this is where the bill fails the people of Scarborough, the people of Toronto, and, frankly, all the people of Canada. In our The member talked about the provincial government and its desire view, this bill is missing some key details. For example, it is missing for ecological integrity. In 2012, it was not ecological integrity it details about how endangered species will be protected, plans wanted; it was a $120 million cheque that it wanted for the land. showing how heritage areas will be treated, details about how the Forget ecological integrity; give them $120 million, and we could park will be zoned for different uses, such as farming, hiking, and have the land, no problem. That was what was said then by the protection of natural habitats. Province of Ontario.

I stand with the provincial government in asking the government What this comes down to now and what the Liberals have to to honour the memorandum of agreement that it signed with the account for is this.The Friends of the Rouge Watershed, as he Province of Ontario. I do so because it is important that in mentioned, want a 600-metre ecological corridor. The result would establishing a first national urban park, we ultimately get it right. be that 1,700 acres of class 1 farmland through the northern part of this riding would have to be taken out of production. Is it the Liberal Despite the fact that the Liberal Party will be supporting this piece Party's position that it supports the removal of 1,700 acres of class 1 of legislation on second reading, we strongly urge the members on farmland from production and the eviction of farmers from that area? the government side, particularly when it goes to committee, to support efforts on this side of the House. These efforts will be ● (1625) undertaken by the member for Halifax and the member for Scarborough—Guildwood, our party's environmental critic, who Mr. Arnold Chan: Mr. Speaker, to answer my hon. friend's will attempt to work with members on the other side to fix this question, let us keep in mind that we are dealing here with a number particular bill and strengthen the legislation that is required when it of significant environmental groups that have challenged the returns to this House on third reading. Conservatives to make this bill a better bill. 8422 COMMONS DEBATES October 8, 2014

Government Orders At the end of the day, these critical voices in this particular debate earlier comparisons between the two pieces of legislation in respect feel that the current government simply has not moved far enough. of hunting and logging, so I want to make a third comparison. We are not simply talking about the removal of some farmland that the member for Oak Ridges—Markham is concerned about; we are The Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006, states trying to ensure that we create a national urban park that ultimately this about mining, “new aggregate pits may be established in areas of meets its fundamental objectives. Those fundamental objectives are Algonquin Park”. The federal legislation in front of us today states, to preserve the health of the ecological system, to ensure that we in paragraph 18(2)(g) that it is prohibited to “explore for minerals, have sufficient forest cover, and to ensure that an incredibly oil or gas, or conduct an extractive activity, including mining, in the degraded watershed system has the capacity to renew itself. Park”. [Translation] The legislation in front of us today is stronger than the legislation Mr. Raymond Côté (Beauport—Limoilou, NDP): Mr. Speaker, that protects provincial parks. Rouge national urban park would be I would like to thank my colleague for his speech. better protected under this legislation than provincial parks that are I would like to remind the House that during the 1993 election protected under provincial legislation, such as Algonquin Park and campaign, the Liberals made wonderful promises about Canada's Killarney Park. national park system in their red book. ● (1630) Unfortunately, from 1993 until they were thrown out of office in Mr. Arnold Chan: Mr. Speaker, I know my friend has been 2006, they accomplished very little. They found all sorts of reasons listing a series of comparisons with respect to this bill against for failing to expand the national park system. provincial parks legislation. Each particular park has its own unique How can my colleague expect to have any credibility in defending features. In many cases, a lot of these issues were grandfathered in as this particular issue? part of the parks system when they were established.

[English] The key point here is this. What will we do when we are Mr. Arnold Chan: Mr. Speaker, it is the same Liberal establishing a new national park? What standard do we want to government that signed the Kyoto protocol. I take exception to the achieve? Are we going to compare that against an existing provincial suggestion that anyone on this side of the House has a bona fide standard or do we want to get this right the first time when environmental challenge. establishing this new national urban park? The national parks system was grown under a series of successive [Translation] governments, and we continue to move forward on moving the park system through this legislation today. Mrs. Anne-Marie Day (Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, NDP): Mr. Speaker, over the past few years, I have enjoyed some Mr. Adam Vaughan (Trinity—Spadina, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, wonderful visits to Toronto. This great city has many lakes, islands rather than dwell on past struggles and rather than focus on what is and scenic views. It is a place that everyone should visit. not in the legislation, let us talk about what we can do. My question for the hon. member is this. When they were in power, the Liberals had plenty of opportunities I was a member of a city council that voted on about $17 million to invest in Canada's national park system, but instead, they helped to put that land into the park. It is great to see it coming to fruition. to create a $2.8 billion backlog. That is why I am surprised by what However, there is this perpetual notion that somehow farmers are they are saying. about to be evicted. I am unaware of any level of government that wants to evict the farmers or do anything other than protect the park They could have done this work and even more. The leader of the from being sold off at a future date. NDP, who was once the Quebec environment minister, knows what should be done with the national parks. Could the member explain to me if he knows of any plan by anybody to evict any farmer on the land in question? [English] Mr. Arnold Chan: Mr. Speaker, it is typical of the other side to Mr. Arnold Chan: Mr. Speaker, ultimately we are attempting to set up this sort of false dichotomy to put up this kind of ghost or strengthen a particular bill and we are counting on the honourable bogeyman that somehow we are opposed to things that are intended intentions of all the members to work collectively together to get the to impact those particular individuals who currently occupy the best legislation we can moved forward. Let us not dwell on the past. lands. I simply have not heard any plans to take class A farmland out of production. Mr. Rodger Cuzner (Cape Breton—Canso, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, Hon. Michael Chong (Wellington—Halton Hills, CPC): Mr. I have tried to follow this debate, to keep an open mind and get a Speaker, I want to commend the member opposite for supporting the best feel for it. My colleague talked about bona fides and past Liberal bill at second reading. That is a good thing. I am happy to hear the governments. I am very fortunate to represent an area that benefited Liberal Party will support it. from a Liberal government that was very committed to environ- mental stewardship. It put $280 million toward the cleanup of the I want to make a third comparison between the legislation in front worst toxic site in our country, the Sydney tar ponds. This is the first of us and the provincial parks legislation. I have already made two year people have come and enjoyed the place. October 8, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 8423

Government Orders I will give my colleague an opportunity to expand further on how have a variety of activities or access to nature in a way that, frankly, he feels confident in our party's approach to all environmental issues. a lot of people growing up in downtown Toronto in towers, whether Mr. Arnold Chan: Mr. Speaker, I simply want to stress that the condos or rentals, would otherwise not have the ability to do. best of intentions exist on all sides of the House to get the best kind of legislation forward with respect to Bill C-40. We have faced a ● (1635) number of environmental challenges over many years. Regardless of which government we have dealt with, we have tried to bring forth It is in fact a real treasure. It is something that one generation can solutions that ultimately are in the national interest. pass on to the next for the enjoyment of people in the future. It is That is the nature of our critique today with respect to the bill. We something that has to be done well. It has to be done right. The fact are simply trying to get a better bill forward, just like we tried to deal that this park would be created is something that we are very pleased with the tar ponds issue in the past. about. As New Democrats, we will be supporting it. I do, however, want to raise some legitimate concerns about the creation of the park. Ms. Peggy Nash (Parkdale—High Park, NDP): Mr. Speaker, it is interesting that as the member for Parkdale—High Park, I may well be the only member in the House who has the word “park” One thing I have come to really understand, with the creation of twice in the name of my riding, so I am very happy to stand to speak High Park and the legacy of John and Jemima Howard, is that they about parks. got it right when they bequeathed this park to the city. They got it absolutely right. In downtown Toronto, if this land were made Specifically today we are debating Bill C-40, An Act respecting available for development today, I cannot imagine how much money the Rouge National Urban Park. Coming from an urban riding in these acres of waterfront property in the centre of the city would be downtown Toronto where the city is growing in its urban density, we worth. However, this parkland has been protected for the present and are seeing increasing numbers of condos, high rises and growing future generations. stratification of people of different economic means. Some are doing extremely well by the economy, some are staying fairly stable, but then some are falling further and further behind. A University of How this new Rouge Park is structured will be very important. Toronto professor from my riding, David Hulchanski, has talked The Rouge Valley is home to over 1,000 species of plants and about this idea of three cities, where we have three distinct animals, including a number of species at risk. It is made up of populations living as one. I see that even within the area I represent. Carolinian and mixed wood forests. They are very rare forest areas. It is certainly an area worth preserving and protecting. Some people in our community are very well off, professionals, people who buy homes that are not just worth one million dollars, The fact that the federal government would create this national but multi-million dollars. They have a lot of choices about where park was laid out in the first throne speech of the Conservative they go and how they participate in recreational activities. They can government. We applaud that. This would be the first urban national choose to belong to a private club in the city. There is a waterfront park in the country and one of the largest in the entire North club right in my riding. They can take a vacation in northern Ontario American continent. The funding was laid out for this in the or anywhere else in the world. Then a growing number of people, economic action plan of 2012. The 2012 budget said that there and I see in my community, do not get to go anywhere. They stay in would be $143 million over 10 years for the development and the city. They have never been to Muskoka or out on a boat. Their interim operations of the park, and $7.6 million a year for continuing options are rather limited. operations. In our riding of Parkdale—High Park, we have High Park, which until now has been the largest park in the city. Through the visionary The main issue is the framework for the creation of this park and action of John and Jemima Howard many years ago, this park was the protection of the environment within it. The park is currently bequeathed to the city with the understanding that it would always protected under a whole range of existing action plans that were remain free and open for access to all. On a summer day, families, developed for this area. There has been incredible community not just from the surrounding communities but from all over, come engagement in the creation of this park. There have been manage- to the park. They have picnics, play sports and conduct a variety of ment plans, greenbelt plans, watershed plans, heritage action plans, a activities in the park. It is a really wonderful thing to see. In fact, variety of plans into which the community has poured a great deal of people from around the world come to see the cherry blossoms when consultation, expertise and hope to get this right for the future. they are in bloom, a gift from the Japanese government. It is a source of great enjoyment. Unfortunately, Bill C-40 does not embrace the strong foundation My kids played soccer there. There is skating and many activities, of conservation policy that is provided in the plans that I just but it is also an area where there has been a great deal of work to mentioned, in addition to the laws that have been passed already. The protect the natural environment. There are old oak forests that are concern is that the bill, if it passes unchanged, will undermine the unique to the area and a great deal of work goes into protecting and ecological integrity and the health of the Rouge Valley. preserving the natural ecology of that area. It is a great treasure of which we are all very proud. Again, I would like to say that if we do not get it right from the The notion of creating the first national urban park is quite beginning and if we do not set out the proper framework, the after- exciting. I see the same potential for communities to participate, to effects will be felt by generations. 8424 COMMONS DEBATES October 8, 2014

Government Orders We want to see a Rouge national urban park that incorporates the (c) remove a wild animal, a plant, a part of a plant or any other naturally occurring same legal protections as other national parks. That would really object or product of natural phenomena from the Park.... make sense. This is an idea that has broad support from environmental organizations, local community groups and residents. It will be prohibited in this law to pick a flower in the park. That is While we believe that the bill is a step in the right direction, we have how strong the protection will be of the park in the legislation. concerns that, with the way it is drafted, it will undermine the Ms. Peggy Nash: Mr. Speaker, I certainly would not want to ecological conservation of this land for the future. encourage people to try to capture deer or racoons or any other ● (1640) wildlife in the park, although, I dare say, I am sure that in spite of that, the odd flower may get picked in some cases. New Democrats think that the legislation and management plan should adopt the long-standing Rouge Park vision, with its goals and I appreciate the member's comments on this and thank him for his objectives. We think the bill should strengthen and implement the work on it, but there are people who have been engaged in the existing environmental protection policy framework. We believe that development of the plans—and he may be as well, yes—but let me more of the park should be dedicated to nature and public enjoyment quote the general manager of Friends of the Rouge Watershed, Mr. and that we should be setting as a priority the ecological health and Jim Robb, who said: conservation of the Carolinian and mixed woodland plain forest. I have participated in almost all of these processes. There are a number of other points that others have raised. Again, The current Rouge Park concept deviates significantly from the existing plans. I want to give the government credit for moving on this. I talked For example, in the new vision of the Rouge national park concept, there's no about High Park in my riding and another feature of my riding is the mention of the words “ecology” or “ecosystem”. That's the primary vision of the western boundary, which is Humber River. The Humber River is the existing Rouge Park, which has been approved multiple times over two decades. only national urban heritage river in the country. It is the only Another thing is the 600-metre wooded corridor. That's enshrined in provincial legislation through the green belt. It's in Rouge Park plans consistently. There's no heritage river that can be reached by subway. It is a very wonderful, mention of that 600-metre wooded ecological corridor within the Rouge Park historic place in the city. concept.

There was great concern when, in one of the Conservative I could give you more examples. omnibus budget bills, the protection for this river was removed, except for the mouth of the river. Therefore, I thank my colleague These are people who have been involved in this for some time from York South—Weston, who introduced a bill to once again and I express their concerns. resume the protection of the Humber River, because it is of ● (1650) tremendous heritage and environmental importance to our commu- nity, and we believe, as it is designated, to the country as well. Mr. Adam Vaughan (Trinity—Spadina, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I wonder if the member would care to comment on the proposal that is In closing, I want to urge my colleagues to really think through the often put in front of the Toronto City Council vis-à-vis the Toronto content of the bill. Again, we salute its existence, but the detail of it, Zoo, which is one of the major pieces of property contained within the specific measures of it, can and should be improved upon and we this park. hope that all parties can work together in the House to make that happen. The proposal comes from people who are not seeking to ● (1645) conserve, and I would use the word “conserve” as in conservative. Hon. Michael Chong (Wellington—Halton Hills, CPC): Mr. There are members of council who are not in support of conserving Speaker, I want to thank the member opposite for supporting the bill this piece of public property in the hands of city government but at second reading. I thought she gave some very thoughtful rather want to privatize it and send it out the door. In other words, comments on it. Maybe I can give her some further assurances they want to sell the Toronto Zoo, sell a piece of this park, because about the legislation in front of us in respect of the protection of the they do not believe it should be under public ownership or public ecology of the park. operation. While clause 6 says, “The Minister must...take into consideration Perhaps this is one of the concerns the province also has about the the protection of its natural ecosystems”, clause 4 of the bill says, agricultural lands. If we do not protect the agricultural lands from “Rouge National Urban Park...is established for the purposes of being sold out from the park and do not protect them as part of the protecting and presenting...the natural and cultural heritage of the park, these too so-called conservatives will not conserve the park and Park”. That is quite categorical. in fact will simply transact it to private sector partners for development. Further on, subclause 9(2) says: The management plan must set out a management approach, by area, that includes Ms. Peggy Nash: Mr. Speaker, as a Torontonian who has the following: frequently visited the Toronto Zoo, and over the years my kids have (a) the protection and presentation of natural and cultural heritage.... come to love it along with generations of kids, it is something we want to protect in the public sphere. The bill is so protective of the park that it will be illegal to pick a flower in the park. It will be illegal to pick a flower because In my comments, I spoke about kids and families who do not have subclause 18(2) says: cottages and do not get to travel or get out of the city. The zoo may ...it is prohibited to... be their only chance to see even domestic animals up close. October 8, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 8425

Government Orders There was a tremendous campaign that our local community in Liberals have said they want to see farming in the area progress to Parkdale—High Park led to protect the zoo in High Park. The goal small-scale farming. was to keep it public, accessible and open, and we were successful in that. I believe the City of Toronto will also be successful in keeping Again I ask, how do we create a 1,700 acre ecological corridor, the Toronto Zoo open for all to have access to and not turn it over to remove 1,700 acres of class one farmland from this area, and not private hands. evict the farmer? It is impossible to do. How do we do that without Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP): Mr. Speak- evicting farmers? Why is the member citing a report that not even er, I thank my colleague for her remarks. I have to say that they fit in the Rouge Park Alliance accepts as the plan with which they would quite significantly and appropriately with some work that I have move forward? been doing regarding the urban forest. Ms. Peggy Nash: Mr. Speaker, in my remarks I listed a number of As members will know, my leader was an environment minister reports and plans. The member is right that there are plans going who worked with great integrity in order to protect the Mont-Orford back to 1994. However, the quote I just gave from the general provincial park. He has encouraged me with my urban forest manager of the Friends of the Rouge Watershed, Jim Robb, was from program because, first of all, I come from the Forest City, and 2012. second, the urban forest is an incredibly important asset, as will be the proposed asset that we are hearing of in terms of the Rouge Valley trees, which protect the environment, create a canopy, cool us Mr. Paul Calandra: Citing a 1994 report. down, prevent flooding, provide storm protection and have great health benefits. Ms. Peggy Nash: There was a comment he made in 2012. My question is in regard to the concerns around the 600-metre Mr. Speaker, through you, I think this is my time to speak and not wooded corridor. In light of the importance of an urban forest, could a debate, so I would ask the member to hold his comments while I my colleague please comment on the significance and importance of have the floor. that corridor? Ms. Peggy Nash: Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for London The importance of creating parkland is that there can be multiple —Fanshawe for that important question. uses. There could be an area for an ecological preserve, where we A question that is very pressing in urban centres is this. How do can preserve a purely natural environment. There could be walking we protect not just green space but the green canopy? paths. There could be other activities in the park. There could be a zoo. There could be many uses. There are many Toronto city councillors, including ours in Parkdale—High Park, who have been very vocal and adamant about To say that by preserving the ecology of the park or insisting on the need to increase the tree canopy in our area and in the city of woodlands in the park, somehow that would have to cover every Toronto generally. The last thing we want to have is a concrete or square foot is simply not correct. asphalt wasteland. We want to have all of the health, environmental and ecological benefits that the tree canopy brings. However, I do trust the people who have been active on this issue I thank my colleague for London—Fanshawe for her work on this for 20 years or more who are saying they have concerns about the issue. It really speaks to the importance of this corridor and to bill and that their work is not being listened to. preserving access to this wooded area and the tree canopy, not just for now but for generations to come. Ms. Megan Leslie (Halifax, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I would like to lay out a bit of the timeline around the bill and some of the key ● (1655) issues. Mr. Paul Calandra (Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and for Intergovernmental Affairs, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I will have to ask the question again. I have asked it so many times it Before I get into that, I do want to take a moment in this House to is actually frustrating. thank my colleagues, the member for Scarborough—Rouge River and the member for Scarborough Southwest. They have been really The member cites the Rouge Park plan. First, the bill we brought helpful. It has been great to work closely with them as MPs in the forward actually goes further than the former Rouge Park Alliance's NDP who are right there where this park is. It has been great to get plans for the park. The protection the bill offers goes further than the their advice from the ground to hear what is going on. 2001 protocol that was put in place by the Rouge Park Alliance. The plan members opposite are citing is the 1994 Rouge Park plan I also want to take a minute to thank some of the environmental that calls for a 600-metre corridor, a 1994 plan, a plan that is 20 organizations and local organizations that have been very helpful years old. That is not the basis by which the Rouge Park was moving with our analysis of the bill. They include the Suzuki Foundation, forward. the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, and the Friends of the Rouge Watershed. When we are here on the Hill, we try to do an The 1994 plan would see 1,700-acres of class one farmland analysis of legislation as it is presented, but it is hard to know exactly removed from production. The Liberals have said they support that. how it will play out in local communities. They have been very Some New Democrats have said they support that as well. The helpful to us. 8426 COMMONS DEBATES October 8, 2014

Government Orders There was a study at the environment committee on urban see problems with the bill, and I am not alone on that. However, I conservation. The NDP was successful in getting two days set aside think there are solutions, and I do believe that we as parliamentarians to specifically look at Rouge Park. I think this was last year. That could work on those solutions together, alongside the community, was incredibly helpful. We got an update from Parks Canada and actually come up with a stronger bill. officials and we did hear witnesses. We heard about the incredible consultation that has been happening, over 25 years of consultation, ● (1700) and the work around this park. We heard about the great work that Parks Canada staff have been doing to try to ensure everybody is at A lot has happened with this bill. It was introduced in June, and the table and to deal with creating a piece of legislation that would frankly, I think some politics were involved in that. I think it was create a park. That is very difficult. hastily introduced in this House, but we had some byelections happening in the Scarborough area so it is good for the government This is an urban national park. Even the concept of it is to say, “Look. We are going to hold up this bill.” That is just my challenging, because there is a highway in this park. There are farms assumption, but I do think it was tabled pretty hastily. There continue in this park. It is an incredible gift to think that we could have a park to be politics when we see what the Ontario government has been that we could access by subway. However, with those gifts come doing and saying via the media. great challenges. This park will be 58 square kilometres. The Province of Ontario Often when bills are presented in the House, we will hear from owns two-thirds of that. The federal government owns about one- government; usually the minister will speak to the bill. Then we will third, with some small parcels owned by Markham and Toronto. In usually hear first from the opposition critics to lay out a party's order to create this park, we need a transfer of lands. Some 5,400 position and see where we are going. acres of parkland would be transferred from the Ontario government to the federal government. At least that was the theory we were I am actually speaking at the end of this debate. I have been working with in June. It is not so much the theory now. listening to it since the beginning, with a small break for committee duty. It has been really interesting. I am not saying that the way a In early September, we heard that the Ontario government was politician says, “This has been interesting.” It has been really thinking about not transferring the land because of the issue of interesting. There has been actual debate in this House. ecological integrity. I will get to the ecological integrity piece in a My colleague, the member for Beaches—East York, sits behind minute. About a week later, we saw that the Minister of the me and I turned to him in the last of debate and asked, “Are you Environment said that the federal government would move ahead listening to this? People are talking about ideas. There's a little give, with this park anyway. I have a concern that we would be creating a a little take.” I learned from each and every speech, regardless of park that we do not actually know what it will look like. We do not whether it was a government member giving the speech, a Liberal actually have the full parcel of land. I will admit I would rather member, or an NDP member. Why is that? I think the people who are create a very small park than no park at all, but we are in a situation speaking in the House to the bill have a vested interest in it. They are where we are not 100% sure what land is going to be involved. MPs from the area predominantly. They are MPs with expertise. They are MPs who have been engaged in this issue and engaged in What is the issue with ecological integrity? This is important. The the creation of the park for years. National Parks Act specifically states, “Maintenance or restoration of ecological integrity, through the protection of natural resources and In that debate, that honest debate that has been happening here in natural processes, shall be the first priority of the Minister when the House, I would say that most members have put aside their considering all aspects of the management of parks”. The first talking points and have talked about some of the real issues. I find priority is maintenance or restoration of ecological integrity. that to be incredibly refreshing. This bill says that the minister must take into consideration I think everybody who has spoken to this bill really does want to ecological integrity. That is a big sticking point for a lot of people. ensure that we get this legislation right, but they also want to ensure that we create this park. That is priority number one. Community groups have come out and said that this is not I will say that I will be supporting the bill, and I know that my acceptable, that it is a lower standard of environmental protection. I caucus is behind that recommendation. As members know, critics understand what they are saying and I believe what they are saying. make recommendations to their caucuses on different pieces of legislation. We are united and we do believe this is a good project, There was actually a pretty good release put out by a number of the creation of this park. We strongly support protecting land through groups, including Environmental Defence and Ontario Nature, for creation of national parks writ large, as long as those national parks example. They said: are backed with strong environmental legislation. We call on the federal government to uphold its commitment to the Memorandum of Agreement. As it stands now, the draft federal legislation threatens to undermine We also support this legislation, the creation of Rouge Park, 25 years of consultation, scientific study and provincial policy development that Canada's first urban national park. That is the first thing. made ecological integrity the main purpose of the park and the top priority for park management. The second thing is that I will come to this debate with an open mind, an open heart, and put down my talking points as well, to try That is their concern. I share their concern, but I think we can to present some ideas, try to present some proposals, because I do figure this out. October 8, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 8427

Government Orders Listening to the debate here in the House, I have heard my confident, and we know we have a good piece of legislation before colleagues, in particular the members for Wellington—Halton Hills us. I hope we can do the same with this bill. and Oak Ridges—Markham, talk about the fact that this is an urban park and it is complicated because there are farms and there is a highway. How do we have this standard of protecting ecological I challenge all of us to maybe come up with a definition for integrity when Highway 401 is going through it? That says to me ecological integrity, or maybe to come up with a different standard that maybe we legitimately need a different standard, not a lower for urban parks, something we can all agree on. I do not believe that standard but a different standard, for urban parks. I buy that. That is anyone in this House, or any party, wants weaker environmental something worth exploring. protection. I take the government at its word on this. The problem I have right now, though, is that I have trust issues with this government. I think we can figure this out, and then maybe if we can figure this out, we could actually apply that solution to something like Gatineau An hon. member: How come? Park, for example. Members may remember that the NDP has brought forward legislation several times, I think it is three times, to Ms. Megan Leslie: Well, Mr. Speaker, I am the environment clearly establish boundaries and to clearly establish roles when it critic. comes to Gatineau Park. This is a park that exists without a plan or I do not trust that this is just a different standard. It says to me that real boundaries or definition. I will say that most recently, legislation this bill is opening the door a crack, and other parks legislation will was brought forward, in the form of Bill C-565, by my colleague, the also have a different and perhaps lower environmental standard, so it member for Hull—Aylmer. We think this is another opportunity for is hard to trust that this is what the issue is. an urban park with strong environmental legislation. ● (1705) Unfortunately, the government voted against that bill— However, if we are looking at a new consideration of ecological integrity or a new consideration of urban parks, then I think we need to have that conversation. I think it needs consultation. I think we Mr. Raymond Côté: That is a shame. need to hear from witnesses at committee. I think we need to, as I said, put the talking points down and have Ms. Megan Leslie: It is a shame, Mr. Speaker. It was a good piece an open and honest conversation about what we do with urban parks. of legislation. Maybe we can stake out a bit of ground on what we do I think there is a solution. I am not sure what it is yet, but I think we with urban parks. I am not anticipating thousands of them or a flood can get there together. of urban parks, but it is a real issue, and we need to wrap our heads around it. I often think about the fact that there is a concept that the environment is a precious, pristine thing that is unsullied and is separate from us. It is not. The environment is us. It is the people. It If we can establish what urban park protection would look like, is our buildings, roads, and farms. We are part of the environment. then maybe we can apply it to Gatineau Park and have another win in this House. There has been a lot of work and thinking on that concept of the environment, so I know that the work is there that can help us get to a solution here. I do not know if it is an amendment to the Parks Act. I will go back to ecological integrity just for a minute, because I understand if the government does not want to reopen the Parks members may think I am giving up too much here, that just because Act, but maybe we need to. Maybe it needs to be a definition for this is an urban park, we would not have strong environmental urban parks. protections and we would not strive for ecological integrity. I want to be very clear and let the House know that this is not what I am We need to come together. I think we can do it, both opposition saying. MPs and government MPs and communities.

One might think I am naive in thinking we could actually work ● (1710) together to get this done, but I live in eternal hope. I actually have some good experience. There is precedence here in this House, even in this current majority government. I believe that a park next to or in Canada's biggest city should continue to strive for ecological integrity. I am really proud of the work we, all of us, were able to do on the Sable Island National Park to bring that bill forward, to raise concerns about some problems with the bill, and to actually get Ecological integrity is the goal of environmental protection within assurances and commitments from government, whether it was via Rouge Park, Greenbelt, and Rouge watershed plans as well as in the park management plan or reporting, that dealt with some of the provincial and national park legislation and policies. I know that the problem areas and with our concerns. government agreed to meet or exceed existing provincial policies. I have heard debate in the House saying that this legislation exceeds As a result, there was near unanimous support, with the exception them, but I hear from the community that it does not meet them, so of one. Everyone wins in that case. Everyone feels good and we need to figure this out. 8428 COMMONS DEBATES October 8, 2014

Government Orders Ecological integrity must continue to be the priority for the another Conservative candidate, all voted not only to refuse to scientifically planned and zoned national habit systems of Rouge protect the land from being converted from a naturalized state into national urban park. We could look at different standards, such as net something else but also actually refused to acquire this piece of gain and ecosystem and watershed health, perhaps. It could be property to add to the park? utilized for areas zoned for agriculture, infrastructure, hamlets, campgrounds, et cetera. I am not sure, but it is something we can talk about. If we think about it, lots of our provincial and national parks Is that perhaps one of the reasons she is skeptical of the have highways, towns, railways, and other infrastructure within Conservatives, whose members, when they have a chance to add them, yet they still manage to prioritize that goal of ecological land, to protect the naturalized state, actually vote against the integrity. interests of the park, the interests of Scarborough, and the interests of the city of Toronto on this? Is that one of the reasons the member We really want to see the creation of this park. We really want to might have some skepticism about the authenticity of the work together to try to come up with a solution that addresses these Conservative position? concerns about ecological integrity. I look forward to hearing the witnesses at committee. I look forward to hearing speeches in the Ms. Megan Leslie: Mr. Speaker, I welcome my colleague from House afterward to see where we are, and I look forward to some Trinity—Spadina to the House. This is my first opportunity to questions. interact with him here in the House since his election. ● (1715) Hon. Michael Chong (Wellington—Halton Hills, CPC): Mr. He asked if I knew about this, and I have to admit that I did not, Speaker, I thank the member for supporting Bill C-40 at second because I do not follow Toronto politics closely. I am here, and I reading. I appreciate her feedback and comments on the bill. follow politics back in my home province of Nova Scotia. It is I just want to emphasize that while provincial legislation does interesting that he can bring it to the floor and talk about that here. include the words “ecological integrity”, that same provincial piece of legislation allows for natural resource extraction, logging, and I am not going to comment on Toronto municipal politics, but I hunting in Algonquin Provincial Park. While the legislation in front will talk about skepticism. I did say that I was going to put down my of us today does not contain the words “ecological integrity”, when talking points and I have, but this is the truth. We have seen cuts to we look at the totality of the bill, in its prohibitions to protect the Parks Canada. Twelve hundred jobs have been cut in parks across environment and the flora and fauna of the park, it is far stronger Canada. If parks are so important, how are we going to protect them, than the provincial legislation currently in force in the province of especially when we are seeing job cuts, park hours diminished, and Ontario. Therefore, if we look at the bill in its totality, it will effect a parks being closed for different seasons? This is where my better outcome for Rouge national urban park than what we have in skepticism comes from. People cannot go to Kejimkujik National the provincial parks in the provincial park system. Park in my home province in the winter anymore. A lot of the Ms. Megan Leslie: Mr. Speaker, I understand what my colleague communities around these parks rely on them being open year- for Wellington—Halton Hills is saying, but it is a bit of an apples round. It is unfortunate. and oranges comparison. We can say “no” to hunting yet still not protect ecological integrity. They are different beasts. ● (1720) We all have to acknowledge that there are people who have serious concerns about this specific issue of ecological integrity. [Translation] What do we have to do as legislators? We have to address that head on. Instead of saying that we are going to ban hunting and picking Mr. Romeo Saganash (Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik— flowers, we need to confront the issue of ecological integrity and Eeyou, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Halifax figure out a solution. Organizations like Environmental Defence for her speech. This member has an excellent understanding of her have a problem with this, and I trust the work they do. They do file, and I thank her for that. incredible work. They do incredible analyses. Therefore, let us deal with the issue of ecological integrity, not whether or not a flower is going to be picked. It is a different issue. This bill proposes to create the first urban park. If there is Mr. Adam Vaughan (Trinity—Spadina, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I something we should be the best in the world at, it is creating parks. I listened to the member's speech very carefully and heard her several would even say that this is in our DNA as Canadians. This bill times suggest skepticism in trusting the government to protect the presents an incredible opportunity. natural state of this park. As I mentioned in my earlier question, I was a member of city Aside from the challenges that my colleague mentioned in her council. It spent $17 million to add a substantial amount of land to speech, what other challenges could we expect to encounter with this this park. Is she aware that some of the most prominent bill? Conservatives on that city council, people with the last names of Ford, Holyday, who went on to represent the Conservatives in the Ms. Megan Leslie: Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from provincial legislature, Denzil Minnan-Wong, and David Shiner, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou for his kind words. October 8, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 8429

Government Orders Indeed, it is an incredible opportunity for us to be part of a when it comes to farming and the environment because I might not government—I think that the opposition and all the other parties are be there next year. part of the government—that will create Canada's first national urban park. What are the other challenges? As I already mentioned, I am a There is some opportunity to listen to farmers, but also to talk to bit concerned about funding for the parks. Is it possible to create a them and engage with them. new national park with the cuts to Parks Canada? Will there be enough scientists and employees in the park to support its ● (1725) objectives? I have a lot of concerns. Mr. Adam Vaughan (Trinity—Spadina, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I [English] am not aware of a member of any party or any organization Mr. Paul Calandra (Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime suggesting that we close down farms or even shrink the size of them. Minister and for Intergovernmental Affairs, CPC): I know that However, if I recall my history correctly, Bill Davis, who was a the debate is coming to a close, Mr. Speaker. Conservative premier of the province, was one of the people who led the fight to expropriate the farms and close them down in favour of The member for Trinity—Spadina and the Liberal Party have the Pickering airport. been talking about ecological integrity. Their position is that if the Toronto Zoo were added to the park, it would increase the ecological Is that yet another reason why the member is skeptical of the integrity of the park. By allowing people to come to the park and Conservative Party's real commitment on this file to preserve these look at the giraffes and polar bears within the park, we would be farms? increasing the ecological integrity of the park. Ms. Megan Leslie: Mr. Speaker, I am a bit at a loss. Once again, I I want to thank the hon. member across the way for supporting the am not up on my Ontario politics and ancient history. I am here bill to get it to committee. I appreciate that, but I have a comment. before the House, looking at this bill.

The farmers in this area have been treated terribly. Their lands I appreciate the member's intervention. Again, this is why we have were originally expropriated by the Liberal government in the 1970s. members of Parliament from all across Canada. It is so they can Many of them were evicted from their lands. Some were given one- bring their first-hand experience to the floor here. I take what he is year leases that they have been operating on for over 40 years. This saying as an interesting addition to this debate. park would give them the opportunity to have some stability for the first time in over 40 years. In the past, they were evicted from their I do have skepticism on a lot of other fronts when it comes to the lands for the creation of the Bob Hunter Memorial Park. They were Conservative government and the environment. Another good evicted from their homes. Those class one farmlands were example, in addition to the cuts to Parks Canada, is that on climate reforested. change and reducing emissions. We were promised oil and gas When the bill gets to committee, I would ask the member to really regulations. That was eight years ago. Earlier today in question listen to the farmers and look at the reports. The creation of a 600- period I asked where those regulations were. There is neither hide metre ecological corridor, which will take 1,700 acres of class one nor hair of them. farmland out of production, based on a 20-year-old report, cannot be done without evicting farmers. My skepticism is well warranted. We have these questions on the environment, we have these issues that we want to have heard, we While I thank the member for her support, I hope that when the have ideas that we want to see turned into regulation or legislation bill does get to committee, she will really take a look at how the and we have not seen them. farmers have been treated in this area, listen to what they are saying, and look at what would happen to them if we created this zone in I am very willing to take a risk and work with everybody in the that area. House. I believe we all want the best for this park, I believe we all want strong environmental protections for this park and we all want Ms. Megan Leslie: Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that comment. I to see it created. have heard the member raise this issue several times in the House. First, when I think about ecological integrity, I do not see it as The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bruce Stanton): Is the House ready necessitating the re-naturalization of farms. For me, that is not on the for the question? table. The member talked about other examples of farms in the past that were re-naturalized, but I do not see that as part of the equation Some hon. members: Question. here. The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bruce Stanton): The question is on The member is very right when he talks about the fact that these the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? farmers have had one-year leases. I do not know about other members, but if I had a one-year lease and I did not know what was Some hon. members: Agreed. coming down next year or what was going to happen, I do not know if I would make a lot of investments in my farm for the long term. I The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bruce Stanton): Accordingly the bill do not know if I would make those environmental and ecological stands referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and investments. I do not know if I would engage in the best practices Sustainable Development. 8430 COMMONS DEBATES October 8, 2014

Private Members' Business

Fantino Fast (Motion agreed to, bill read the second time and referred to a Findlay (Delta—Richmond East) Finley (Haldimand—Norfolk) committee) Foote Fortin Freeland Freeman Fry Galipeau Gallant Garneau Genest-Jourdain Giguère PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS Gill Glover Godin Goguen [English] Goldring Goodale Goodyear Gosal SERVICE CANADA MANDATE EXPANSION ACT Gourde Gravelle Grewal Groguhé The House resumed from October 2 consideration of the motion Harper Harris (Scarborough Southwest) that Bill C-247, An Act to expand the mandate of Service Canada in Harris (St. John's East) Harris (Cariboo—Prince George) Hawn Hayes respect of the death of a Canadian citizen or Canadian resident, be Hillyer Hoback read the second time and referred to a committee. Holder Hsu Hughes Hyer The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bruce Stanton): It being 5:30 p.m., Jacob James the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded Jones Julian Kamp (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission) Keddy (South Shore—St. Margaret's) division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-247. Kellway Kenney (Calgary Southeast) Kent Kerr Call in the members. Komarnicki Kramp (Prince Edward—Hastings) Lake Lamoureux ● (1810) Lapointe Larose Latendresse Lauzon (The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the Laverdière Lebel following division:) LeBlanc (Beauséjour) Leef Leitch Lemieux (Division No. 253) Leung Liu Lizon Lobb Lukiwski Lunney YEAS MacKay (Central Nova) MacKenzie Members Maguire Mai Marston Masse Ablonczy Adams Mathyssen May Adler Aglukkaq McCallum McColeman Albas Albrecht McGuinty McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood) Alexander Allen (Welland) McLeod Menegakis Allen (Tobique—Mactaquac) Allison Michaud Miller Ambler Ambrose Moore (Abitibi—Témiscamingue) Moore (Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam) Anders Anderson Moore (Fundy Royal) Morin (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine) Andrews Armstrong Morin (Laurentides—Labelle) Mulcair Ashton Aspin Murray Nantel Atamanenko Aubin Nash Nicholls Ayala Barlow Nicholson Norlock Bateman Bellavance Nunez-Melo Obhrai Bennett Benoit O'Neill Gordon Opitz Benskin Bergen O'Toole Pacetti Bernier Bevington Papillon Patry Bezan Blanchette Payne Péclet Blaney Block Perreault Plamondon Boivin Boughen Poilievre Preston Boulerice Boutin-Sweet Raitt Rajotte Brahmi Braid Rankin Ravignat Breitkreuz Brison Raynault Regan Brosseau Brown (Leeds—Grenville) Reid Rempel Brown (Newmarket—Aurora) Bruinooge Richards Rickford Butt Byrne Rousseau Saganash Calandra Calkins Sandhu Saxton Cannan Carmichael Scarpaleggia Schellenberger Caron Carrie Scott Seeback Casey Cash Sellah Sgro Chan Chicoine Shea Shipley Chisholm Chisu Shory Simms (Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Wind- Chong Choquette sor) Christopherson Cleary Sims (Newton—North Delta) Sitsabaiesan Clement Côté Smith Sopuck Cotler Crockatt Sorenson Stanton Crowder Cullen St-Denis Stewart Cuzner Daniel Strahl Sullivan Davidson Davies (Vancouver Kingsway) Sweet Thibeault Day Dechert Tilson Toet Devolin Dewar Tremblay Trost Dionne Labelle Donnelly Trottier Trudeau Doré Lefebvre Dreeshen Truppe Turmel Dubé Dubourg Uppal Valcourt Duncan (Vancouver Island North) Duncan (Etobicoke North) Valeriote Van Kesteren Duncan (Edmonton—Strathcona) Dusseault Van Loan Vaughan Dykstra Easter Vellacott Wallace Eyking Falk Warawa Warkentin October 8, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 8431

Private Members' Business Watson Weston (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to One of the reasons we do not have a handle on this issue is that Sky Country) Weston (Saint John) Wilks criminal behaviour though it may be, sometimes it is not eradicated Williamson Wong through the Criminal Code and the courts. Sometimes we need to Woodworth Yelich treat the underlying issues that are creating the situation. Young (Oakville) Young (Vancouver South) Yurdiga Zimmer–— 268 What concerns us on this side of the House about this piece of NAYS legislation is that it is part of a pattern that we are starting to see in Nil the approach to the Criminal Code. PAIRED Nil First, this is a private member's bill that is changing it. That The Speaker: I declare the motion carried. Accordingly the bill creates a patchwork of ad hoc changes to the Criminal Code. The stands referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Criminal Code is a very complex document which is interwoven and Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with needs to be sustained as a comprehensive document. When we start Disabilities. amending it with one-off private members' bills, we start to unravel a (Bill read the second time and referred to a committee) comprehensive system of criminal justice in this country. We are concerned about that, even though we support the general intent of *** this private member's bill. CRIMINAL CODE The House resumed from June 18 consideration of the motion that The other issue is we know that punishment for this crime alone Bill C-590, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (blood alcohol has not stopped it. While this bill proposes increased sentences, content), be read the second time and referred to a committee. while we support the notion that exceptionally high levels of blood alcohol content should carry a stronger sentence, and that repeat Mr. Adam Vaughan (Trinity—Spadina, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I offenders are the most likely to be the most lethal offenders, and begin my comments by complimenting the member who brought while we share that there needs to be graduated and increased this private member's bill before us. All of us who are seized with progressive punishment on this issue, we know that increasing the this issue recognize the extreme sorrow and difficult personal sentences in provinces like Prince Edward Island and others has not circumstances that many members of this House bring to this issue. I been a deterrent nor impacted the rate of offence. While it is an recognize that speaking to this issue with a great deal of sensitivity is important way to deal with this criminal behaviour, it does not required. In particular, as these events are televised, there are necessarily eliminate the behaviour. The reason is that alcohol members of our larger community who are also watching the debate addiction which may lead to drunk driving is not just a criminal tonight, hoping that some of the tragedies in their personal lives have issue; it is fundamentally a medical issue. The addiction is a medical meaning. phenomenon as much as anything else. I would also reflect upon this issue as it has presented itself to me in my political life. Many in this House may not know that I was a This is a private member's bill, and therefore, it stands out by member of the Toronto Police Services Board, which is seized with itself. We do not see accompanying it an increase in treatment this issue of impaired driving, drunk driving, in large part because it centres. This concerns us. I would hope that in committee or perhaps is the canary in the coal mine. It is quite often members of the service in consideration of these remarks the government across the way who get into trouble while driving under the influence of alcohol would consider a different approach on this issue. We do not see who are starting to show signs of significant other issues which are anything dealing with the regulatory requirements around alcohol impairing not only their ability to operate a vehicle in their private acquisition. We do not see accompanying this bill things which life, but to fulfill their duties in their public life as well. would prevent this disease from taking hold of people's lives which I can recall going case by case through the process as a member of puts them in a situation where, through impairment, they may make the Toronto Police Services Board, monitoring and listening to some the horrible decision to drink and drive. Therefore, we think a more of the professional standards cases and sometimes appeals. I had to comprehensive approach is a more appropriate way to move forward adjudicate to make sure that we eradicated not only drunk driving, on this bill. but also the additional problems that accompany it from the service. ● (1815) Personal stories were related to us, not by the victims' families, but the families of individuals who were convicted, who were caught drinking and driving. Those stories are the ones that stick with me. I However, we have seen the cases of highly intoxicated people have heard as a journalist, as a member of the community, and as a with a pattern of repeat offence, and public safety and justice require citizen of this country the horrible stories of the victims' families and us to take these exceptional steps to safeguard our streets and the those who have survived these terrible incidents, but the people innocent people on them, protecting people from those who, through struggling with alcohol have an equally compelling story to tell and their disease and high level of intoxication, are incapable of it is something which we also must consider as we look at the bill. protecting themselves let alone anybody else. As a result, we will be Those stories are part of a larger problem that we are not addressing. supporting the bill. 8432 COMMONS DEBATES October 8, 2014

Private Members' Business To return again to the notion that mandatory minimum sentences Over the past decades, we have managed to lower the number of and stronger sentences act as deterrents, we are very skeptical as to persons who are killed in collisions involving alcohol-impaired whether that will be the impact of the bill. We have heard the driving. Lives have been saved by the efforts of families, individuals, conversations and debates on the other side of the House suggesting schools, service organizations, police and legislatures. that a stiffer penalty is all that is required to eliminate certain forms of crime, but it just simply is not true. There is no evidence to I would like to recognize the really great work of the people who support this argument. volunteer for Operation Red Nose, in the month of December, who volunteer to drive until the wee hours of the morning to keep We also know that the best way to deal with alcohol addiction, the impaired drivers off the road. disease of alcoholism, is not to criminalize the behaviour but to treat it medically. I can tell members that in the city and province I represent, treatment beds are as scarce as scarce can be. They are as However, even with the improvements, the sad reality is that scarce as a national housing program. impaired driving remains a pernicious and persisting crime. It is the single most committed crime at 12% of crimes, according to the Part of what we need here are those housing programs, which Statistics Canada 2011 Juristat on impaired driving. would provide support as people get out of jail and out of shelters and out of addiction. We need to treat those issues so that we do not Impaired driving is said by prosecutors to take up about 40% of end up with impaired people operating vehicles or committing any provincial court trial time. The great tragedy is that hundreds of other crime. We need that second piece in this legislation to give us deaths and thousands of injuries every year from impaired driving confidence that the government is truly serious about dealing with are, each and every one, avoidable. the tragedy of operating a vehicle while impaired. I started my comments by talking about the situation faced by With the arrival of the motor car at the turn of the 20th century, it police service boards across this country and how people with soon became clear that death and injury from crashes were part of extraordinary complications in their lives find themselves behind the the new motorized driving reality. wheel drinking and driving. The stories we heard were quite clear: the lack of treatment is fundamentally what is in front of us. In 1921, Parliament enacted the offence of driving while intoxicated, in recognition of the reality that driving while If we really want to prevent impaired people from getting behind intoxicated greatly increased the risk of a crash. the wheel, the answer is not the sentence that lies behind being caught and convicted. It is stopping them from being alcoholics to In 1951, Parliament added to the Criminal Code the offence of begin with. It is stopping that level of impairment from taking hold driving while impaired, in recognition that it was not only someone in their lives to begin with. It is this proactive approach that saves who was intoxicated who posed a higher risk of a crash. not only the lives of the innocent people who might be killed through impaired driving, but also the lives of the people who are seized by alcoholism. In 1969, Parliament repealed the driving while intoxicated offence and followed some other western nations in setting a blood alcohol However, we just do not see a comprehensive approach nationally concentration above which it is an offence to drive. that would support some of the provincial and local efforts. This private member's bill, as a single gesture, is important, and we The over 80 offence rested upon the development of technology to support it, but unless it becomes part of a comprehensive approach measure blood alcohol concentration, which is converted using a that is proactive in nature and medical in essence, we are not going blood-to-breath ratio into a blood alcohol concentration. to solve this problem, and there will be more tragedies. With those remarks and that analysis, I will resume my seat. I will Over the years, Parliament has acted many times to improve the support this private member's bill, but I do so with reservations. impaired driving provisions in the Criminal Code, which brings me to Bill C-590. ● (1820) Ms. Lois Brown (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of The bill could be seen as taking the step in the right direction. The International Development, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to bill is also in the spirit of one of the recommendations of the House have the opportunity to speak today in support of Bill C-590, an act of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights that to amend the Criminal Code (blood alcohol content). This private was made in the committee's 2009 report, entitled “Ending Alcohol- member's bill was tabled by the member for Prince Albert on April 9 impaired Driving: A Common Approach”. and it addresses minimum penalties for the crime of impaired driving. The report was in favour of setting higher penalties for individuals As much as there has been improvement in this area of the law who drove with a blood alcohol concentration which was over 160. over the past 40 years, more has to be done. Impaired driving cases Currently, a reading above 160 on an approved instrument is an are familiar to all Canadians. Everyone knows a family member, a aggravating factor for Criminal Code sentencing purposes. friend or someone in their community who has been touched by this crime. Bill C-590 proposes two things. October 8, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 8433

Private Members' Business First, it would create a new offence of driving while over 160 that She did not survive. It was my mother's birthday. Things need to would be a straight indictable offence. The mandatory minimum change. penalties would be even more severe than a case where someone drove while over 80. On a first over 160 conviction, there would be a mandatory minimum penalty, or MMP, of a fine of $2,000 and [Translation] imprisonment for 60 days. On the second offence, there would be an MMP of 240 days imprisonment. Mr. Robert Aubin (Trois-Rivières, NDP): Mr. Speaker, drunk The second thing that Bill C-590 would do is to raise the MMP driving is a public safety issue that deserves more of our attention. where an offender caused a crash involving a death or bodily harm That applies to our assessment of whether the legislative measures in while driving impaired or over 80 or when the driver refused to this bill can help eliminate this scourge. provide a breath sample knowing of the death or bodily harm. Right now, in these cases, the MMP is a fine of $1,000 on a first offence, 30 days imprisonment on a second offence and 120 days It goes without saying that enhancing road safety involves several imprisonment on a subsequent offence. factors, from the quality of physical infrastructure to Criminal Code provisions penalizing drunk drivers. ● (1825) For a first offence that causes a death or bodily harm, Bill C-590 would set an MMP of $5,000 and 120 days imprisonment. For a I would like to go over some key numbers that illustrate the second offence, it would be 240 days imprisonment. devastating impact of this scourge on families in Quebec and Canada. Some 5.4 million Canadians say that they have a family It would be advisable to consider at committee whether there member or friend who has driven drunk or caused an accident. We should be a higher MMP for causing death than for causing bodily know that with this type of statistic, when people talk about a friend harm. I understand that the current MMP was set for the purpose of or an acquaintance, they are sometimes talking about themselves, but avoiding situations where a person who drove impaired and/or over because they do not want to incriminate themselves, they say they 80 and/or refused to provide a breath sample could be given a know someone. That number is still astronomical. conditional sentence of imprisonment. Where there is an MMP, no conditional sentence is available. However, the MMPs for the cause of death or bodily harm scenarios Nearly a quarter of the Canadian population has a family member are the same as the MMPs for impaired and/or over 80 and/or the or close friend who has been a victim of a drunk driving accident. refusal where there is no death or bodily harm. In death cases, the According to Transport Canada, alcohol was a factor in nearly 30% courts are clearly giving sentences measured in years and are not of traffic accident fatalities from 2003 to 2005. giving the $1,000 MMP. It may be helpful to hear from witnesses, and to see whether there needs to be any adjustment to the MMPs. Unfortunately, my riding, Trois-Rivières, has troubling statistics I am pleased that Parliament is being given the opportunity to on this too. According to a study that looked at June of 2013, the respond to one of the recommendations in the 2009 report of the Trois-Rivières police service made about one arrest a day, 28 that standing committee. We can establish MMPs that will have a month to be precise. Impaired driving is still the leading criminal deterring effect and that will have an effect on public safety because cause of death in Canada. they incapacitate the high blood alcohol concentration drivers and the drivers who kill or injure in offences of impaired driving, over 80 driving or refusal to provide a breath sample. These statistics show how important it is to examine this issue. I I ask all parliamentarians to join me in supporting Bill C-590. support moving forward with the bill introduced by my colleague, the member for Prince Albert, so that the committee can look at it, I would like to put my notes down and just tell the House a bit of a study its impact on sentence length and ensure that the provisions story. comply with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Canadian criminal law. It is a story of a nurse from Newmarket who had spent 25 years of her nursing career at what was then York County Hospital, who at the end of her career had determined that there were other opportunities for her to provide service and had dedicated the end The Criminal Code of Canada has very strict laws and sanctions of her career to serving people who were AIDS patients. She was for impaired driving. Specifically, several Canadian provinces have providing personal service as a private duty nurse to those people. in place a three-tier system based on blood alcohol content. The first tier is zero milligrams of alcohol for young and novice drivers. The It was Friday, February 8, 1991, when that nurse left Newmarket second tier allows for administrative sanctions in some cases for a to drive to Kleinburg to a special patient. Somewhere around the BAC over 0.05 milligrams. Lastly, drivers with a BAC over 0.08 Ansnorveldt road, a driver who was driving over 85 miles per hour milligrams are liable to sanctions under the Criminal Code of came across five lanes of traffic and hit that nurse head-on. Canada. 8434 COMMONS DEBATES October 8, 2014

Private Members' Business Furthermore, new provisions were added in the Criminal Code lead to crime, but we must remember that coercion can make it and came into force on July 2, 2008. This means that there are now worse. nine distinct offences related to impaired driving. Unfortunately, despite the introduction of more coercive measures, the Canadian Preventive social policies, such as those that seek to address the Police Association recognizes the challenges faced on the ground in socio-economic determinants of alcoholism, produce more effective terms of combatting this scourge. results in the long term by taking a holistic approach to the problem, which requires the intervention of health professionals, social In addition to the human cost related to this phenomenon, the workers and members of police forces. average cost of impaired driving accidents in Canada from 1999 to 2006 has been estimated at $1.9 billion per year. This estimate does In closing, I support the bill introduced by the member for Prince not include any of the social costs that result from those offences. Albert. I believe that sending it to committee will provide the opportunity for more in-depth analysis of how to achieve the desired With respect to Bill C-590, it would be interesting to explore results. whether reducing mandatory minimum prison sentences for impaired driving causing death is the right thing to do here. It would be useful We should also be looking to technological advancements for to debate this, because these mandatory minimum sentences are solutions. For example, I am thinking about car locks that are opened shorter than existing sentences. Reducing mandatory minimum with a number combination instead of a key. They make it more sentences for impaired driving causing death could prove counter- difficult to open the door if the driver has had one too many and is productive. According to the jurisprudence, minimum penalties tend not fully coherent. Opening the door requires some thought, and the to become the default penalty. In other words, minimum penalties door is prevented from opening if it is not unlocked within a given become the norm, rather than being reserved for the least serious time frame. cases or those where there are mitigating factors. The Criminal Code, new technology and international experience Accordingly, it would be entirely reasonable to expect defence in this area should all be part of our collective thought process as we lawyers to ask for the minimum penalty, unless the crown can prove determine how we can put an end to this problem, which has that the defendant's crime deserves a punishment that will serve as an disastrous consequences for families in Quebec and Canada. example. ● (1835) The federal Criminal Code is not enough to address the risks to [English] road safety caused by impaired drivers. The duty to enforce the law The Acting Speaker (Mr. Barry Devolin): Resuming debate in this area is shared by the federal, provincial and territorial with his five-minute right of reply, the hon. member for Prince governments. Albert. ● (1830) Mr. Randy Hoback (Prince Albert, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all of my colleagues for their suggestions and good There are a number of solutions that we can implement advice on this piece of legislation. incrementally to deter impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel and endangering others. One of the deterrents that can be This legislation came about because of a guy by the name of Ben implemented is random breathalyzer tests for blood alcohol Darchuk. Ben Darchuk was the owner of Ben's Auto Glass. He was concentrations. killed by a drunk driver, a drunk driver who was also under the influence of drugs. Ben had a family. He had a business. The impact In Ireland, the Road Safety Authority believes that random on his family, his business, and the community was immense. breathalyzer testing has led to a 23% reduction in the number of highway deaths. That is something that could be considered. This It seemed to me that we needed to do something to take guys who last measure is just one of many options available to us to effectively are over twice the legal limit off the road. It seemed to me that we fight delinquent behaviour. needed to have some teeth in a piece of legislation so that when these people hit the courts, they would not just go through that revolving To introduce an effective measure that will eradicate this scourge, door; they would actually have consequences for being over twice we have to consider the fact that drunk driving is the manifestation the legal limit. of social problems that coercive measures alone cannot address. By adopting this approach, we could transform our legislative frame- This bill would not fix everything. There is more we need to do to work and make it preventive as well as punitive. address drinking and driving. There are more ideas out there on prevention and maybe on the criminalization side of things too. I am Preventing impaired driving must be based on campaigns that open to all of those ideas. There is no question about that. look at much more than just drunk driving and also raise awareness among drivers of the link between alcoholism, violence and risky The goal, at the end of the day, is to get these guys off the road, to behaviour. get these guys out from behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. It is a very simple goal. Impaired driving is above all a social problem. We have to consider ways to prevent risky behaviours and create public policies It heartens me, and I am happy to see, that my colleagues are with the ultimate objective of reducing risky behaviours in our going to let the bill go to committee. This is great, because the society—including impaired driving—rather than creating a legisla- committee can do great work on this piece of legislation. It could tive framework that depends solely on coercion. Alcoholism does improve it, and in fact, I hope it does improve it. October 8, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 8435

Adjournment Proceedings I appreciate the constructive criticism from members of the House. THAT the AFMNB send a letter to the Minister of Transport...thanking her for her I appreciate the professionalism my colleagues showed toward this commitment and efforts, which led to the investment of $10.2 million by VIA Rail to repair the section of railway between Miramichi and Bathurst. piece of legislation. They took partisanship out of this legislation and focused on what we are trying to accomplish here today. THAT the AFMNB show openness by supporting the redefinition of passenger service in light of more regional needs by helping VIA Rail to promote the survey to I am excited and happy to see the bill go to committee. I know that the best of the association's and its members' abilities, while sharing with VIA Rail the importance of ensuring that the Ocean train between Halifax and Montreal runs the committee will do the great work that I know committees can do. just as frequently as before. We can all take comfort in knowing that when this piece of legislation passes, we will have made a step forward that will THAT the AFMNB share with the Minister [of Transport] serious concerns about VIA Rail's approach, which seeks to reduce operating costs by offloading them onto probably save even more lives. At the end of the day, that is what we municipal governments. This approach will create a two-tier railway system where want to do. We want to save lives. stations in Canada's big cities will remain the responsibility of VIA Rail, while smaller municipalities, mostly in rural areas, will be asked to assume the costs of I would like to thank all of my colleagues for their support on this managing stations and to promote the public carrier's services free of charge. piece of legislation. ● (1840) What is the minister going to do? This is a crown corporation, and municipalities do not have the money to take over federal The Acting Speaker (Mr. Barry Devolin): The question is on the responsibilities. They do not even have enough money to take care motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? of their own responsibilities. Some hon. members: Agreed. I would like to hear what the parliamentary secretary has to say (Motion agreed to, bill read the second time and referred to a about that. committee) The Acting Speaker (Mr. Barry Devolin): Accordingly, the bill ● (1845) stands referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human [English] Rights. Mr. Jeff Watson (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to speak about VIA Rail and the government. ADJOURNMENT PROCEEDINGS Intercity passenger rail service is obviously an important part of A motion to adjourn the House under Standing Order 38 deemed our transportation system that benefits our economy and our society, to have been moved. as it connects Canadians literally from coast to coast. Recognizing [Translation] this, our government provides VIA Rail Canada with an annual RAIL TRANSPORTATION subsidy that in recent years has been supplemented by additional operating funding. Mr. Yvon Godin (Acadie—Bathurst, NDP): Mr. Speaker, on October 1, I asked a question in the House about the concerns of To allow VIA to deliver passenger rail services to Canadians, our New Brunswick municipalities. For those watching today, I want to government in 2013-14 provided VIA with $305 million, a come back to that question. significant amount of funding, in order to operate and maintain its network. All of New Brunswick is up in arms because of VIA Rail's latest plan to transfer the responsibility for stations on the Montreal- In addition, our government is making unprecedented capital Halifax line to municipalities, as if small municipalities were in a investments in VIA to allow it to make important improvements in better financial position to look after train stations than VIA Rail and order to modernize its operations. Our government has made the federal government. available over $1 billion in capital funding over the past seven years Will the minister make VIA Rail listen to reason and tell it that to upgrade and modernize portions of VIA's rail network as well as there is no way that the company can off-load its problems onto New many of its railcars. It has also invested in information systems to Brunswick municipalities and that it must accept its responsibilities? introduce e-ticketing; intermodal ticketing with airlines, commuter rail, and bus companies; on-board Wi-Fi; and upgrades to its website The Association francophone des municipalités du Nouveau- in order to better serve customers. Brunswick adopted a resolution at a meeting. To put the situation of these municipalities into context, I will quote the resolution: Our government also provides support for other passenger rail WHEREAS the federal government and VIA Rail, which is a crown corporation, services. We provide funding to two passenger railways owned and have a responsibility to develop and maintain rail infrastructure across the country. operated by first nations, one in northern Quebec and one in northern More specifically, VIA Rail must ensure that it provides quality service to Canadians Manitoba. This funding allows those private companies to provide in every region of the country. service to remote communities that have few alternative means of WHEREAS the federal government, through VIA Rail, is attempting to transfer to transportation. municipal governments its responsibility to provide quality rail service to Canadians in every region of the country without also transferring the financial resources associated with that responsibility, thereby creating an unfair system since the status All told, this is a substantial amount of funding. That said, these quo remains for central Canada. services also have to be provided in a way that supports the efficient Be it resolved: use of taxpayer dollars, as we have said on previous occasions. 8436 COMMONS DEBATES October 8, 2014

Adjournment Proceedings Maybe the member does not find that satisfying, but VIA Rail is capacity to defend its borders, as well as respond to major in fact a crown corporation that operates at arm's length from the international crises. government. This means that the government does not in fact operate the railway. It does not get involved in day-to-day operations. This was well expressed in a 2003 report by the Canadian Defence VIA Rail, then, is ultimately responsible for making business and Foreign Affairs Institute, which stated: decisions on its operations, including how best to manage its costs to reduce its reliance on federal taxpayers while meeting its objective to The Canadian Forces are a vital instrument of national defence and sovereignty operate a national rail system that is both safe and efficient. That is and a key implement for the achievement of Canadian national goals at home and why VIA Rail has to continuously assess its markets and operations abroad. A strong and modern military, designed specifically to meet Canada’s security and foreign policy needs, will serve Canada’s pride and Canada’s interests. It in order to decide how best to provide the most economically is, therefore, incumbent on Canadian governments to ensure that Canada’s military efficient service to passengers. forces are well-funded, equipped to the highest standards, and recruited and trained to fight alongside the best, against the best. As the same time, our government has invested and will continue to invest in passenger rail in a fiscally responsible manner. The Conservative government has failed in its duty to do this, and [Translation] failed in its duty to properly equip Canada's military. Mr. Yvon Godin: Mr. Speaker, I listened to the parliamentary secretary. He says that VIA Rail is a crown corporation, but at the Regarding Iraq, as I mentioned in my question, which we are same time it is a crown corporation that has a responsibility—as does debating tonight, the Liberals proposed a range of non-combat the government, since it is holding the purse strings—to ensure that military and humanitarian contributions that Canada could make. We the train can travel from coast to coast, from Halifax to Vancouver. opposed the government's plan to enter a combat air strike mission in VIA Rail needs to know that the government is not there to oversee Iraq, as the mission and its goals were unclear. The Prime Minister its daily operations and that it will stay out of VIA Rail's business, had failed to make the case for taking CF-18s to Iraq and taking but that there needs to be a train from Halifax to Vancouver. Canada into war. VIA Rail should not be passing its costs on to the cities of Bathurst, Miramichi and Campbellton. It is unbelievable and While I have every confidence that our competent and unacceptable. Our cities back home and many cities across Canada experienced Canadian Armed Forces members will ensure the safety do not have enough money to pave their roads and streets, and now and effectiveness of the equipment used in this mission, the reality is VIA Rail wants to pass its debt on to the cities. It is all well and good that Canada's CF-18s are coming to the end of their life expectancy. to say that it wants to put its fiscal house in order, but it is the cities Currently, we have 77 operational CF-18s, all of which date from the and towns that are going to pay. 1980s. There were two rounds of upgrade programs between 2001 and 2010, yet another extension is now being planned as the I am asking the minister once again to meet with the government has neglected to secure replacements for this fleet. municipalities, open her ears and listen— [English] The urgent need to replace Canada's CF-18s was signalled even The Acting Speaker (Mr. Barry Devolin): Order, please. The before Canada's military operation in Libya. In 2008, six years ago, hon. parliamentary secretary. Major Ed Roberds published an article in the Canadian Military Mr. Jeff Watson: Mr. Speaker, as I have said previously in the Journal, entitled “Stretching the Thin Blue Line: Over-Tasking the House, it is important in this moment that we understand a few CF-18 Hornet”. In the article, he noted: things. The upgrading of our CF-18s will allow them to operate with other air forces in First of all, there have been no recent changes to the frequency of joint operations. Unfortunately, this upgrade does not fully address the airframe service that the Ocean line provides between Halifax and Montreal. I fatigue that is occurring on an aircraft initially intended for retirement in 2002.... think that has to be clear. Second, as I have said before, the minister ...As the airframe gets older, more repairs are required, and our operational tempo has met in the past with l'Association francophone des municipalités requires a substantial increase in spare parts that must be transported to theatre du Nouveau-Brunswick and the Union of Quebec Municipalities to when the aircraft are deployed. While we are spending a lot of money on a single discuss VIA Rail in this important region. The minister is happy to layer of air defence, we may not have enough fighter resources to achieve the discuss the Ocean rail line further with this association. overall defence objectives that the current policy...have established. ● (1850) Auditor General Ferguson's 2012 report exposed the Prime NATIONAL DEFENCE Minister for having hidden the real cost estimates for the F-35 Ms. Joyce Murray (Vancouver Quadra, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, it fighter jets to replace the CF-18s. This is now on hold. We have no goes without saying that this is a time of great instability in the idea what the government is planning, and Canada's aerospace world. ISIL's murderous reign of terror in an already chaotic Middle industry is paying the price. Moreover, the government cut another East is only one of the many current global crises. Tumultuous $3.1 billion from military procurement in the last federal budget. Its periods such as this are why an essential responsibility of the cuts have resulted in a 20% reduction in funds available for spare Canadian government is to ensure that this country has the military parts and the maintenance of Canadian Forces equipment. October 8, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 8437

Adjournment Proceedings Sadly, Canada's military capacity is vulnerable. As proud of our ISIL. Last week we announced additional military contributions to troops as we are, the Conservative government's mismanagement of the coalition efforts in Iraq for up to six months. CF-18 fighter jets military investment and procurement is creating deep concerns. will join our allies and partners in conducting air strikes against ISIL Mr. Jeff Watson (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of targets. As well, we will contribute the Polaris aerial refueller and up Transport, CPC): Mr. Speaker, let me begin first by correcting the to two CP-140 Aurora aerial surveillance aircraft. record. In fact, defence budgets are up consistently year over year under this particular government, and second, I take note of the Canada will not stand idly by in the face of the humanitarian member's underlying tone and lack of confidence in our forces to catastrophe caused by ISIL. carry out the job. ● (1855) As endorsed by the House of Commons yesterday, the govern- Ms. Joyce Murray: Mr. Speaker, I am dismayed to hear the ment is taking strong action to respond to the grave security and member saying something that is patently not true. The budget has humanitarian crisis created by ISIL. There can be no doubt about the not gone up year over year since the Conservative government came threat posed by this group of extremists or the scale of the in. In fact, by 2010, the freeze had started, and in 2011, the cuts humanitarian crisis it has caused. It has violently seized territory in began. This budget is slated to shrink by a total of $2.7 billion in Iraq and beyond, persecuted ethnic and religious minorities, and 2015 compared with 2011. driven more than a million Iraqi civilians from their homes. This has only exacerbated an already severe humanitarian and refugee The calculations show that this budget is the equivalent of the emergency in that region. 2007 budget when inflation is taken into account. As a percentage of GDP, as the World Bank has noted, the government is spending 1% Among the despicable acts ISIL has perpetrated are horrific acts of of GDP compared with the Liberals having spent 1.3% of GDP. One sexual violence against women and girls, including sexual slavery per cent is the lowest since the World Bank began recording this in and using rape as a weapon of war. This government joins all the 1980s. Canadians in feeling the utmost sympathy for the people in Iraq, which is precisely why we have taken action to help those people in This has led to a lot of chaos because of the cuts and clawbacks need. under the current government. It is making our military and Armed forces vulnerable to not being able to serve future requirements, and We have proposed a multi-pronged approach, which includes the government should at least be open and transparent— humanitarian assistance and advisory support for the people of Iraq, but humanitarian assistance alone cannot get to the people who need The Acting Speaker (Mr. Barry Devolin): The hon. parliamen- it while armed groups continue to threaten the population. Sexual tary secretary. violence and other abuses cannot be investigated effectively in the absence of security in the region. If permitted to remain in Iraq Mr. Jeff Watson: Mr. Speaker, we heard it ourselves, just now, unchecked, we believe that the threat posed by ISIL will only grow from the member that she believes our Canadian Forces are not worse over time and will further destabilize the region and worsen going to be able to carry out their mission. That shows a complete the humanitarian crisis. lack of confidence in our brave men and women and the material that they use to do that. As much as ISIL poses a serious threat to Iraq and the wider region, it also poses a direct threat to Canada. Very recently, ISIL I find that very disappointing, however not out of character for called for the targeting of Canadians in their own homes. There can the Liberals who presided over a decade of darkness when it came to be no greater responsibility of a government than the safety and the military. Those are not my words. It was a former military security of its own citizens. commander in Canada who said those words about the Liberals. We will not let that happen. That is why the government has decided, now supported by a vote in the House and by government members, to meet the threat of ISIL ● (1900) at its source. This began in August when the Canadian Armed Forces [Translation] commenced airlifting military supplies from donor countries to Iraqi forces. Over 1.5 million pounds, in fact, of military supplies donated The Acting Speaker (Mr. Barry Devolin): The motion to by Albania and the Czech Republic were successfully delivered by adjourn the House is now deemed to have been adopted. us in northern Iraq. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1). In addition, special operations forces members have been deployed to assist and advise Iraqi forces in effectively countering (The House adjourned at 7 p.m.)

CONTENTS

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Mr. Harper...... 8403 The Economy Insternational Development Mrs. Ambler ...... 8399 Mr. Trudeau ...... 8403 Mr. Harper...... 8403 Agriculture and Agri-Food Mr. Lapointe...... 8399 Citizenship and Immigration Mr. Trudeau ...... 8404 Marriage Mr. Harper...... 8404 Mr. Vellacott...... 8399 Mr. Trudeau ...... 8404 Nancy MacLean Mr. Harper...... 8404 Mr. Easter ...... 8400 National Defence Operation Northern Spotlight Mr. Dewar ...... 8404 Mrs. Smith...... 8400 Mr. Nicholson ...... 8404 New Westminster—Coquitlam Community Events Mr. Dewar ...... 8404 Mr. Donnelly ...... 8400 Mr. Nicholson ...... 8404 Prostitution International Development Mr. Lemieux...... 8400 Ms. Laverdière ...... 8404 Ms. Brown (Newmarket—Aurora)...... 8404 Riding of Fort McMurray—Athabasca Ms. Laverdière ...... 8404 Mr. Yurdiga...... 8401 Ms. Brown (Newmarket—Aurora)...... 8405 Service Canada Rail Transportation Mr. Sullivan ...... 8401 Mr. Mai...... 8405 Thanksgiving Ms. Raitt...... 8405 Mr. Leef ...... 8401 Mr. Mai...... 8405 International Day of the Girl Child Ms. Raitt...... 8405 Mr. Kellway ...... 8405 Ms. Freeman ...... 8401 Ms. Raitt...... 8405 International Trade Transport Mr. Maguire ...... 8401 Ms. Nash ...... 8405 Erik Spicer Ms. Raitt...... 8405 Mr. Goodale ...... 8402 Manufacturing Industry National Hockey League Ms. Nash ...... 8406 Mr. Wallace...... 8402 Mr. Moore (Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam) . 8406 Iraq Rail Transportation Mr. Thibeault ...... 8402 Mr. Goodale ...... 8406 Ukraine Ms. Raitt...... 8406 Mr. Opitz ...... 8402 Mr. Goodale ...... 8406 Ms. Raitt...... 8406 ORAL QUESTIONS Health International Development Ms. Fry ...... 8406 Mr. Mulcair...... 8403 Ms. Ambrose ...... 8406 Mr. Harper...... 8403 The Environment Mr. Mulcair...... 8403 Ms. Leslie ...... 8407 Mr. Harper...... 8403 Mrs. Aglukkaq ...... 8407 Mr. Mulcair...... 8403 Ms. Leslie ...... 8407 Mr. Harper...... 8403 Mrs. Aglukkaq ...... 8407 National Defence Mr. Lapointe...... 8407 Mr. Mulcair...... 8403 Mrs. Shea...... 8407 Mr. Harper...... 8403 Mr. Caron ...... 8407 Mr. Mulcair...... 8403 Mrs. Shea...... 8407 The Economy Petitions Mr. Weston (Saint John) ...... 8407 Agriculture Mr. Sorenson ...... 8408 Mr. Lunney ...... 8411 Science and Technology Health Mr. Lunney ...... 8412 Ms. Liu ...... 8408 Humanitarian Aid in Gaza Mr. Holder...... 8408 Mr. Dewar ...... 8412 Mr. Stewart ...... 8408 Falun Gong Mr. Holder...... 8408 Ms. Bateman ...... 8412 National Defence Rouge National Park Mr. Harris (St. John's East) ...... 8408 Mr. Harris (Scarborough Southwest)...... 8412 Mr. Nicholson ...... 8408 Sex Selection Ms. Michaud ...... 8408 Mr. Warawa ...... 8412 Mr. Nicholson ...... 8408 Durham Region Federal Lands The Environment Mr. Kellway ...... 8412 Mr. Scarpaleggia ...... 8408 Genetically Modified Organisms Mrs. Aglukkaq ...... 8409 Mr. Atamanenko...... 8412 Mr. McKay ...... 8409 Bison Mrs. Aglukkaq ...... 8409 Mr. Benoit ...... 8412 Employment Insurance Sex Selection Mr. Benoit ...... 8412 Mr. Chisholm...... 8409 Rouge National Park Mrs. Shea...... 8409 Ms. Sitsabaiesan...... 8412 Housing Falun Gong Mr. Aubin ...... 8409 Ms. May ...... 8412 Mr. Holder...... 8409 The Environment International Trade Ms. May ...... 8413 Ms. Bateman ...... 8409 Mr. Cash...... 8413 Mr. Fast...... 8410 Employment Mr. Cash...... 8413 Veterans Affairs Citizenship and Immigration Ms. Sgro...... 8410 Mr. Rathgeber ...... 8413 Ms. James ...... 8410 Falun Gong Citizenship and Immigration Mr. Rathgeber ...... 8413 Ms. Quach...... 8410 Veterans Affairs Mr. Alexander ...... 8410 Mr. Masse ...... 8413 Sport Ojibway Prairie Complex Mr. Seeback ...... 8410 Mr. Masse ...... 8413 Mr. Gosal ...... 8410 Foreign Affairs Ms. Mathyssen ...... 8413 Canada Post Human Rights Mrs. Groguhé...... 8410 Mr. Stewart ...... 8413 Ms. Raitt...... 8411 Canada Post Marine Transportation Mr. Dusseault...... 8413 Mr, Plamondon ...... 8411 Questions on the Order Paper Ms. Raitt...... 8411 Mr. Lukiwski ...... 8414 ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS Motions for Papers Mr. Lukiwski ...... 8414 Interparliamentary Delegations Mr. Leef ...... 8411 Private Members' Business Mr. Stanton ...... 8414 Committees of the House Procedure and House Affairs GOVERNMENT ORDERS Mr. Preston ...... 8411 Canadian Heritage Rouge National Urban Park Act Ms. Mathyssen ...... 8411 Bill C-40. Second reading ...... 8414 Motion for concurrence ...... 8411 Mr. Kellway ...... 8414 (Motion agreed to) ...... 8411 Mr. Chong ...... 8415 Mr. Sullivan ...... 8416 Mr. Vaughan...... 8429 Mr. Kent ...... 8416 (Motion agreed to, bill read the second time and referred Mr. Sullivan ...... 8416 to a committee)...... 8430 Mr. Chisu ...... 8417 Mr. Chan ...... 8418 PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS Mr. Cash...... 8418 Service Canada Mandate Expansion Act Mr. Cash...... 8418 Bill C-247. Second reading ...... 8430 Mr. Chong ...... 8419 Motion agreed to ...... 8431 Mr. Vaughan...... 8419 (Bill read the second time and referred to a committee) . 8431 Mr. Dewar ...... 8420 Mr. Chan ...... 8420 Criminal Code

Mr. Calandra ...... 8421 Bill C-590. Second reading ...... 8431 Mr. Côté ...... 8422 Mr. Vaughan...... 8431 Mr. Vaughan...... 8422 Ms. Brown (Newmarket—Aurora)...... 8432 Mr. Chong ...... 8422 Mr. Aubin ...... 8433 Mrs. Day ...... 8422 Mr. Hoback...... 8434 Mr. Cuzner ...... 8422 (Motion agreed to, bill read the second time and referred Ms. Nash ...... 8423 to a committee)...... 8435 Mr. Chong ...... 8424 Mr. Vaughan...... 8424 ADJOURNMENT PROCEEDINGS Ms. Mathyssen ...... 8425 Rail Transportation Mr. Calandra ...... 8425 Mr. Godin ...... 8435 Ms. Leslie ...... 8425 ...... Mr. Chong ...... 8428 Mr. Watson 8435 Mr. Vaughan...... 8428 National Defence Mr. Saganash ...... 8428 Ms. Murray...... 8436 Mr. Calandra ...... 8429 Mr. Watson ...... 8437 Published under the authority of the Speaker of Publié en conformité de l’autorité the House of Commons du Président de la Chambre des communes SPEAKER’S PERMISSION PERMISSION DU PRÉSIDENT

Reproduction of the proceedings of the House of Commons Il est permis de reproduire les délibérations de la Chambre et and its Committees, in whole or in part and in any medium, is de ses comités, en tout ou en partie, sur n’importe quel hereby permitted provided that the reproduction is accurate support, pourvu que la reproduction soit exacte et qu’elle ne and is not presented as official. This permission does not soit pas présentée comme version officielle. Il n’est toutefois extend to reproduction, distribution or use for commercial pas permis de reproduire, de distribuer ou d’utiliser les purpose of financial gain. Reproduction or use outside this délibérations à des fins commerciales visant la réalisation d'un permission or without authorization may be treated as profit financier. Toute reproduction ou utilisation non permise copyright infringement in accordance with the Copyright Act. ou non formellement autorisée peut être considérée comme Authorization may be obtained on written application to the une violation du droit d’auteur aux termes de la Loi sur le Office of the Speaker of the House of Commons. droit d’auteur. Une autorisation formelle peut être obtenue sur présentation d’une demande écrite au Bureau du Président de la Chambre. Reproduction in accordance with this permission does not La reproduction conforme à la présente permission ne constitute publication under the authority of the House of constitue pas une publication sous l’autorité de la Chambre. Commons. The absolute privilege that applies to the Le privilège absolu qui s’applique aux délibérations de la proceedings of the House of Commons does not extend to Chambre ne s’étend pas aux reproductions permises. Lors- these permitted reproductions. Where a reproduction includes qu’une reproduction comprend des mémoires présentés à un briefs to a Committee of the House of Commons, authoriza- comité de la Chambre, il peut être nécessaire d’obtenir de tion for reproduction may be required from the authors in leurs auteurs l’autorisation de les reproduire, conformément à accordance with the Copyright Act. la Loi sur le droit d’auteur. Nothing in this permission abrogates or derogates from the La présente permission ne porte pas atteinte aux privilèges, privileges, powers, immunities and rights of the House of pouvoirs, immunités et droits de la Chambre et de ses comités. Commons and its Committees. For greater certainty, this Il est entendu que cette permission ne touche pas l’interdiction permission does not affect the prohibition against impeaching de contester ou de mettre en cause les délibérations de la or questioning the proceedings of the House of Commons in Chambre devant les tribunaux ou autrement. La Chambre courts or otherwise. The House of Commons retains the right conserve le droit et le privilège de déclarer l’utilisateur and privilege to find users in contempt of Parliament if a coupable d’outrage au Parlement lorsque la reproduction ou reproduction or use is not in accordance with this permission. l’utilisation n’est pas conforme à la présente permission.

Also available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the Aussi disponible sur le site Web du Parlement du Canada à following address: http://www.parl.gc.ca l’adresse suivante : http://www.parl.gc.ca